Fat Liberation Manifesto

Welcome to the Fat Liberation Manifesto page. Here, we honor the powerful words and actions of those who paved the way for the fat liberation movement. The manifesto, first written in 1973, calls for the freedom, dignity, and humanity of fat people. It challenges societal norms and reflects the belief that being fat should not limit one's rights, opportunities, or self-worth.

The Fat Liberation Manifesto was a groundbreaking declaration from the fat liberation movement in 1973, calling for the visibility, equality, and respect of fat people. This manifesto stands as a powerful reminder that being fat is not a flaw or something to be fixed, but a valid and valuable aspect of who someone is. It was an early rallying cry for fat rights and continues to inspire activism today.

• Fat People Deserve Equality: The manifesto emphasizes the importance of dismantling the systemic discrimination faced by fat individuals in all aspects of life, including healthcare, employment, and social spaces.
• Rejection of Medicalized Fatness: It challenges the medical establishment's pathologization of fat people, calling out biased treatments and the harm of weight-centric healthcare.
• Fat Liberation as a Political Issue: The manifesto positions fat liberation as a civil rights movement, calling for social and legal changes that respect fat people and their rights.
• Body Autonomy and Acceptance: It advocates for the right to love and exist in one’s body without shame or fear of judgment.
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From the Fat Liberation Archive

Title (as given to the record by the creator): Fat Liberation Manifesto
Date(s) of creation: November, 1973
Creator / author / publisher:  Fat Underground, Judy Freespirit, Aldebaran
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Physical description:  one page with typed text

We, the fat people of the world, declare that we are not sick, we are not a problem, and we are not to be shamed. We are a group that has been ignored, marginalized, and oppressed for too long. We are a group with our own culture, our own voices, and our own strength. We are not going to be silent any longer.

We know that the world tells us that our bodies are wrong, that we need to lose weight, that we are not worthy of love, respect, or dignity. We reject these ideas.

We believe in the following principles:

1. The Right to Our Bodies
   We have the right to our bodies just as they are, without shame, guilt, or judgment. We will not allow society to define us by our size, nor will we allow the medical establishment to treat us as if we are sick or less-than-human because of our weight.
2. Ending Discrimination
   We demand an end to discrimination in all areas of life, including healthcare, employment, education, and public spaces. We will no longer tolerate being told that we are less capable, less deserving, or less valuable because of our size.
3. Medical Autonomy
   We reject the pathologization of fatness. We reject being treated as if we have a disease simply because we are fat. We demand access to healthcare that treats us with dignity and respect, without focusing solely on our weight.
4. The Power of Fat Visibility
   We assert that fat people are beautiful, valuable, and worthy of love. We reject the dominant beauty standards that tell us our bodies are wrong. We claim our right to exist in the world as we are, without apology.
5. The Struggle for Equality
   Fat liberation is a political issue. It is not just about individual acceptance, but about changing the systems and structures that oppress us. We will fight for the rights of all fat people, especially those who are marginalized within the fat community—Black, Indigenous, queer, disabled, and trans fat people.

We are here to stay. The Fat Liberation movement is not going anywhere. We will continue to fight for our rights and demand the world see us as we are: human, worthy, and deserving of respect.

We are proud of our bodies, and we will no longer accept anything less than full liberation.

While the Fat Liberation Manifesto was written over 50 years ago, its principles are more relevant than ever. From body-positive activism to the fight for better healthcare and representation, the manifesto continues to fuel the fight for equality and acceptance for fat people. It reminds us that liberation is not just about weight loss but about changing societal views and systems to respect people of all sizes.

At Jae Bae Productions we believe in creating a world where all bodies are celebrated. This page is part of our ongoing commitment to fat liberation, and we stand with those who fight for dignity and equality for fat individuals.

We encourage you to engage with this manifesto and the broader movement it represents. Share your thoughts, raise awareness, and take action in your own life and community. The work of fat liberation is ongoing, and every voice matters.