Trans, Fat and Fabulous: A Panel Discussion on Weight Diversity, Fatphobia and Gender Expression

Who is the intended audience?: 
Open to all
Workshop Topic: 
Alternative Healthcare
Identity-specific
Telling Our Stories
Do you want to restrict the attendance of this workshop to a specific group?: 
Attendance Restricted
If restricted, who is welcome to attend?: 
Fat, Fat-Positive and Pro-Fat Allies ONLY
Description: 

This panel will feature trans/gender/queer individuals who identify as fat and as fat-positive. In a society that is virulently fatphobic and weightist, these panelists will tell an alternate story of coming to accept their f(l)abulous bodies. Rather than seeing themselves as victims of the so-called "obesity epidemic", these large and in-charge folks will speak truth to the power of the fat-hating medical establishment. Through coming out of the fat closet, they will shed light on the intersections between fat identity and trans/gender/queer identities. Additional topics will include fatphobia in the LGBT Community, heteronormativity and cis-centrism in size-acceptance communities, the intersection of trans-fatness with race, class, and disability, Health At Every Size (HAES), and the need to see fat oppression and fat liberation as front-burner social justice issues in progressive/leftist movements. All fat/fat-positive people and fat allies are warmly welcomed to attend. This workshop is not intended for anti-fat, fat-critical or fat-hating attendees.

Conference Year: 
2012
Time slot: 
1 June 4:00pm - 5:20pm
Room: 
103B
First Presenter
Joelle Ruby Ryan
Joelle Ruby Ryan is a Lecturer in Women's Studies at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). At UNH, she sits on the President's Commission on the Status of Women and chairs the Transgender Policy and Climate Committee (T-PACC.) She also helps to plan the annual Gender Identities Awareness (GIA) week and Transecting Society Conference. She earned her Ph.D. in American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University in 2009. She is the author of Gender Quake: Poems and the producer of three autobiographical films. She is also the Director of Trans/Gender New Hampshire and the Founder of the Fat Studies Interest Group and the Transgender Caucus of the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA). In addition to LGBT rights, she is involved with feminism, fat liberation, sex worker issues, and film/media criticism and production. Read Joelle’s Blog at: http://transmeditations.wordpress.com/ and follow her on Twitter @JoelleRubyRyan.
Second Presenter
Koomah
Koomah is a trans-identified intersex-bodied artist, performance artist, filmmaker, and clothing designer residing in Houston, Texas. Koomah is an all around creative being who uses art, performance, and film to highlight issues of gender and sexuality as well as transgender, genderqueer, and intersex issues and identities. Active in both the queer and trans communities, Koomah is also a fundraiser for Houston-area organizations that give health and social services to Houston queer/trans communities. Koomah often educates at Houston-area universities about gender, sexuality, performance, and intersex issues.
Third Presenter
Kay Ulanday Barrett
A CAMPUS PRIDE 2009 Hot List artist, Kay Ulanday Barrett is a poet, performer, educator, and martial artist navigating life as a mixed pin@y transgender/queer in the U.S. with struggle, resistance, and laughter. Based in NY/NJ, their work has featured on stages nationally and internationally; from the NJ Performing Arts Center to the Chicago Historical Museum, Brooklyn Museum to Dublin’s Lesbian Arts Festival. Kay’s bold work continues to excite and challenge audiences. Previously, Kay has served on the Board of Directors for Beyondmedia Education and in committees for other fiery organizations. Honors include: LGBTQ 30 under 30 awards and Finalist for The Gwendolyn Brooks Open-Mic Award. Kay’s work has appeared in several anthologies and journals such as: Make/shift magazine, Kicked Out Anthology, Philippine American Psychology, Asian Americans for Progress and The Azolla Story, a writing collective for queer disabled people of color. Kay turns art into action as a dedicated activist who serves LGBTQ communities and youth. www.kaybarrrett.net / @kulandaybarrett on twitter.
Fourth Presenter
Joe Libin
Joe Libin is a Fat Trans activist and has served on the board of NoLose (a Fat/ Queer/ Feminist/Progressive/Sex Positive) organization for the past 4 years. Joe serves on the outreach committee and is working to become a white ally to people of color. He enjoys body autonomy, guitar, drums, and playing with his dogs in the back yard of his home in Oakland, CA.