What we’re about
Welcome to Fat Liberation London!
We are a friendly, inclusive group of fat people who wanted to find a safe space and loving IRL community who feel the same way we do about body image and fat liberation - so we started this meetup group!
This is all about connecting with people who have shared lived experience existing in a fat body, whether you are a small or mid-size fat person, or a large, super or infinifat. We have monthly coffee meet ups in an accessible, fat-friendly cozy space, and will be looking at getting people together for board games, drinks, book clubs focussing on fat writings, picnics, group tickets to fat-focussed events and more as we grow.
Community is so important and it can be so healing to find people who understand your experience and celebrate the unique complexities it brings to who we are. This is not a space focussed on changing who we are or our bodies, and with this in mind, we’ve got some guidelines for our space to help everyone feel safe!
NOTE: PLEASE READ GUIDELINES IN FULL BEFORE ATTENDING ANY OF OUR EVENTS!
In this group, we are:
- Fat-First. Fat Liberation London was created for fat people, by fat people. Our community therefore centres large fat+ bodies first. We use self-identifying terms that are common in fat spaces (i.e. midsize, small fat, large fat, superfat and infinifat), and ask community members in smaller bodies to be considerate of the fact that our community prioritises the most marginalised bodies.
- Rooted in community. We want to bring together people with a shared experience together to have fun and build relationships in a friendly, accessible and non-judgemental space.
- A safe space for intersectional identities and marginalised bodies. We aim to champion anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, accessibility for disabled and neurodivergent people, and anti-discrimination of all kinds. While it is an unlikely occurrence, please be aware that anyone creating unnecessary conflict or displaying malicious, prejudiced or discriminatory behaviour will be asked to leave our events. This is not a singles group! We're creating a safe space for fat people to come together in joyful friendship.
- Mindful of individual differences. We know that everyone will be in different places in their fat-liberation journey, and recognise that some discussion topics, events and venues may be more accessible to some than others. We ask our community to utilise content warnings for potentially triggering conversations that may come up in events. We also aim to provide as much information as possible about event spaces accessibility.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- FAT FILM CLUB HALLOWEEN HATE WATCH: SHALLOW HALThe Prince of Peckham, London
Fat Lib London Halloween Hate Watch: SHALLOW HAL (Monday 28th October 2024)
We're spent a lot of time thinking about what the scariest film is for Fats, and there was one clear winner: Shallow Hal. You'll know it as the damaging, disgusting fat-suit film that was somehow paraded as being pro-fat in the noughties, and it's time we all spent an evening absolutely ripping it to shreds.
Shout out mid-scene, throw paper at the screen, let it all out! We can't wait to give this film the reception it deserves and place it rightfully in the genre it belongs: horror.
About the film
The story revolves around Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in what the movie calls 'even the least physically appealing women'. URGH.Schedule
19.00 - 19.30 - Arrival, mingling, grab your food and drinks
19.30 - Screening
21.15 - Discussion, group ratings and post-screening socialLocation - "The Music Room" at The Prince of Peckham pub (please note the room is up one set of stairs).
Who is the event for? This event is perfect for anyone who needs to scream at the noughties and everything it did to our community and for people who are passionate about fat liberation or want to learn more! Grab some popcorn (or a jerk burger), a drink, and settle in for a delightful hate-filled evening with fellow fat liberationists. Please do review our community guidelines (at the end of this description). See you there!
Bring your friends! Allies are welcome at our film club, we encourage them to partake, learn from and add to our discussions. The more the merrier!
Tickets are £5 with a service charge from Eventbrite on top.
**Most of our events are completely free, but unfortunately there is a cost to screen films, so we have to ask for this small amount to cover our costs. However, do let us know if you would like to come and cannot afford to, and we can try to work something out. You can message us at @fatliblondon on Instagram :)Community Guidelines
In this group, we are:- Fat-First. Fat Liberation London was created for fat people, by fat people. Our community therefore centres large fat+ bodies first. We use self-identifying terms that are common in fat spaces (i.e. midsize, small fat, large fat, superfat and infinifat), and ask community members in smaller bodies to be considerate of the fact that our community prioritises the most marginalised bodies.
- Rooted in community. We want to bring together people with a shared experience together to have fun and build relationships in a friendly, accessible and non-judgemental space.
- A safe space for intersectional identities and marginalised bodies. We aim to champion anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, accessibility for disabled and neurodivergent people, and anti-discrimination of all kinds. While it is an unlikely occurrence, please be aware that anyone creating unnecessary conflict or displaying malicious, prejudiced or discriminatory behaviour will be asked to leave our events. This is not a singles event! We're creating a safe space for fat people to come together in friendship.
- Mindful of individual differences. We know that everyone will be in different places in their fat-liberation journey, and recognise that some discussion topics, events and venues may be more accessible to some than others. We ask our community to utilise content warnings for potentially triggering conversations that may come up in events. We also aim to provide as much information as possible about event spaces accessibility.
- Fat Lib Film Club: Shallow Hal (Halloween Hate Watch)The Prince of Peckham, London
Fat Lib London Film Club: Heavyweights (Monday 15th July 2024)
We're really excited to announce that for our Halloween edition of the Fat Lib London Film Club, we're hate watching Shallow Hal (2001)!About the film
The story follows Hal (Jack Black) who, taking his dying father's advice, dates only the embodiments of female physical perfection. But that all changes after Hal has an unexpected run-in with self-help guru Tony Robbins. Intrigued by Hal's shallowness, Robbins hypnotizes him into seeing the beauty that exists even in the "least physically appealing women". Hal thereafter meets Rosemary, a fat woman whom he sees as a vision of loveliness. But will their relationship survive when Hal's equally shallow friend undoes the hypnosis?
Join us for a truly healing film experience as we collectively yell and boo at this terrifying take on a "movie" and dissect fat representation on-screen, with the added addition of some truly banging Jamaican food from White Men Can't Jerk available too*.*
Lastly, it's Halloween, so feel free to don your fangs or cat ears if you want to ;)
Schedule
19.00 - 19.30 - arrival, mingling, grab your food and drinks
19.30 - Shallow Hal screening / angry shouting at the screen
21.15 - Post-film discussion and socialLocation - "The Music Room" at The Prince of Peckham pub (please note the room is up one set of stairs).
Tickets
Please note you must BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE.Tickets cost £5 each (plus admin fee) Most of our events are completely free, but as there is a cost to screen films, we have to ask for this small amount to cover our costs. However, do let us know if you would like to come and cannot afford to, and we can try to work something out. You can message us at @fatliblondon on Instagram!
Who is the event for? This event is perfect for anyone who is passionate about fat representation on screen, loves halloween and / or wants to find loving, fat community IRL. Grab some popcorn (or a jerk burger), a drink, and settle in for a fun evening with fellow fat movie enthusiasts. See you there!
Allies are welcome at our film club, we encourage them to partake, learn from and add to our discussions :)