Body positivity is a term many people are embracing with open arms nowadays. After all, the social movement promotes feelings of acceptance and love, regardless of anyone’s size, shape, or appearance.
In fact, this new mindset is so widely used and known that there are content creators who blow up by simply sharing their journeys of what it’s like to be a plus-size person in a vastly different and constantly changing world.
They aren’t afraid to call others out for ‘fatphobic’ behavior, rooting for inclusivity for everyone. But as many know, sometimes audience members aren’t the big fans of what influencers create. Here are 11 times plus-size customers spoke their mind and shared it on social media — whether it seems reasonable or logical remains up to you!
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Discrimination Within Bollywood
Actress Anjali Anand believes it to be unfair that Bollywood has given her the “plus-size” tag when actors such as Govinda and Rishi Kapoor were never labeled as such.
She told Fever FM, “Nobody would call [Govinda] a plus-size actor. Nobody would call Rishi Kapoor a plus size actor. He is an actor. But for a woman, I’m always called Anjali Anand — a plus size actor. I hate talking about it.
“We need to normalize it. People ask me why I don’t promote plus-size representation on the internet, and it’s because I don’t want to.”
She later went on to describe how society treats women in a harsher light than men.
Poll Question
Do you think female actors are judged more harshly than male actors based on appearance?
Yes
No
Denied Entry From A Party Bus
Miami Beach in Florida is known for its vibrant nightlife and creative parties, and that’s exactly what 27-year-old body positivity advocate Fallon Melillo wanted to take advantage of.
Unfortunately, when she and her friends decided to take a party bus to get to a pool party, things took a turn.
Although the pool party itself said on Eventbrite, “Sorry No Big Girls for this party!” the promoter themselves did not disclose this information to the girl who bought the tickets for the party bus.
Thinking things would be okay, Fallon decided to go, only to be turned away.
“There’s no law, but it’s just downright awful and rude and humiliating,” the advocate told Bored Panda.
Poll Question
If you were Fallon, would you have shared your story publicly?
Yes, awareness matters
No, I’d keep it private
I'm not sure
Inclusivity In Target
TikTok content creator Samyra has always been loud and proud when it comes to showcasing different kinds of bodies.
She recorded a video where she attempted to shame Target for only marketing their clothes towards thin people.
Samyra picked up a women’s jacket with the tip: “Go up a size or two on your purchase for an easy, effortlessly cool vibe.”
“This is a clear example of how brands center on thinness. How can someone who is 3X of 4X go up a size or two?” she argued.
But the comments were anything but understanding and forgiving.
“Very few people are built like you. Market moves corporations, not your feelings,” one person stated.
Poll Question
Do you think mainstream fashion brands are truly size-inclusive?
No, most still cater to thin bodies
Some are making progress
Yes, many are inclusive now
I’m not sure
As one of the commentator pointed out. 'Market moves corporations...'. That's the reality. To achieve economies of scale, they cater for the majority, and the majority has been conditioned to expect smaller sizes.
Handrails In Swimming Pools
And Jaelynn Chaney stirs the pot of controversy once more.
She claims that public swimming pools that don’t feature handrails are “not inclusive” in a video from July 2024, repeatedly stating that “obesity is not a disability.”
For the 27-year-old, handrails are a crucial part of helping her stabilize as she gets out of the water.
“Accessibility isn’t optional,” she shared. “Make handrails mandatory at all pools for swimmers of every size and ability.”
Chaney continued, “Without handrails, we’re excluding so many from enjoying pools safely. It’s time to ensure everyone can swim with confidence. Demand mandatory handrails now!”
Poll Question
Do you consider handrails a basic accessibility feature?
Yes
No
This has nothing to do with weight exclusively, IMO. Handrails should be a safety feature in most pools?
Quitting A Job After Being Told To “Cover Her Stomach”
Abigayle Canterbury was just doing what she needed to do when she was dress-coded at her job… that did not have a dress code.
She was indirectly told by her manager that she needed to “dress something nicer and cover the stomach,” to which she responded with “So no crop tops, got it.”
But after talking to her other co-workers, some who had been there significantly longer than she had, she realized they had never been dress-coded — even though a few were wearing something “inappropriate,” by the manager’s standards.
After all, what drew Abigayle to this job was the “laid-back environment,” and how the employees could wear whatever they wanted.
“That sh–t really not only caught me off guard but kind of hurt my feelings,” she said.
Her response? Quitting.
Poll Question
If a workplace is described as “laid-back,” should crop tops be acceptable?
Yes
No
A crop top is not acceptable for work even if it's part of some slutty uniform like at Hooters. I refuse to go there because of the uniform. They can call it a family restaurant all the want to but I call BS on that! If there is a dress code it should apply to everybody!
A Look Of Disgust In An Airplane
A Brazilian plus-size influencer known as Sidney recorded an emotional video for his social media followers, recounting a particularly unpleasant experience he had while traveling.
As he was heading to Rio de Janeiro on a plane, he recounted having a difficult time passing through the aircraft aisle and accidentally bumping into a woman.
“When I passed by her and unintentionally, because of my size, my belly touched her, she looked at her arm, wiped it off, and gave me a disgusted look,” he said. “I felt like the worst human being alive.”
The small incident also triggered his anxiety.
“I had never gone through something like this, never in my life. I don’t give room for anyone to disrespect me, but this time it was completely different,” he concluded.
Poll Question
Should airlines improve conditions for plus-size passengers (wider aisles, more inclusive seating, etc.)?
Absolutely
Maybe, but not a priority
No, current conditions are fine
I find planes extremely narrow regardless of someone's size, I get anxious every time
Lyft Driver Refuses To Let A Plus-Size Woman In His Car
When Dajua Blanding, known as ‘Dank Demoss’ ordered a Lyft ride to the Lions playoff game, she was met with rejection over her weight.
In a video posted on January 19, Dajua captured the whole conversation between her and the driver.
When he showed up, he allegedly took one look at her and immediately locked the car’s doors, denying her entry into his Mercedes-Benz sedan.
“I can fit in this car,” Dajua said in the clip.
“Believe me, you can’t,” replied the driver. “I’m sorry. I’m going to cancel. You’re not going to be charged,” and added, “I’ve been in this situation before.”
Shocked, Dajua asked, “So every big person, you turn down because they can’t fit in your car?”
The driver apologized and then suggested she order herself a bigger vehicle, such as an Uber XL, for easier access.
Poll Question
Should rideshare drivers be allowed to refuse passengers based on perceived size?
No, that’s discrimination
Only if it’s a real safety or space issue
Yes, it’s their personal vehicle
Not sure
She's hardly just plus size. I'm overweight and wear plus sizes, but I still fit in to normal airplane seats and cars. She's super morbid obese.
Bigger Car Seat Size
“Supercars should be for everyone,” stated Panamanian plus-size influencer Gracie Bon as she posted a video demanding that the luxury sports car McLaren should increase the size of their seats to accommodate her 55-inch hips.
Unsurprisingly, users online slammed her and suggested she go for bigger cars that have bigger spaces.
But Gracie has labeled herself a “body positivity advocate,” despite the fact that many people have claimed her body is the result of numerous surgical procedures.
“It’s not my fault to have an a– this big,” said the 27-year-old in a viral video from last year.
One person countered, “There’s no way that’s natural. It’s absolutely your fault.”
Poll Question
Should sports car manufacturers consider offering customizable seating options?
Yes, absolutely
Maybe, as an add-on
No, it’s not worth the investment
I don't know
B***h modified her body, that's not natural. She should admit she's a publicity hound.
Disagree with the rude term used for this woman, but agree that this behind is not natural or normal.
I'm pretty sure McLaren would be would be happy to supply larger seats. All you need it to pay for them, and for the appropriate modifications. She's just trying to find something to say.
Super cars are NOT for everyone. If they were for everyone, the people who can afford to spend $1 million on a car wouldn't want them. McLaren likely wouldn't want to do this too one of their cars.
Load More Replies...Larger seats require that there is room for them, and as the cabin only have certain size, it would probably also require that the outer dimension of the car is increased, and then we are practically talking about designing an entirely new car. Sure they might be glad to do so, provided they are paid enough, but it would be so ridiculously expensive that it isn't really a practical option. The cabin of a sportscar is usually rather crammed, as they are normally optimized for speed, not comfort, and hence the cross section is minimized.
That chick needs to stop wearing those horrible pants and put on some freaking underwear so that it doesn't look like the pants are gonna split her in half.
Gracie Bon needs to get a van or a bus. Or maybe stop with the BBL and implants. Maybe really tall people should raise a stink about sports cars being too small. Body positive! No you're just whinging to get attention.
I'm short (5') and have a really hard time with visibility in modern cars. Didn't used to be a problem, but now since people are bigger car manufacturers have accommodated to them. Not sure I should be catered to since I'm an outlier, but it's just not safe when I'm crammed against the steering wheel and can barely see above the dash!
You made me snort 😆. and you are 💯 right. I'm 5'1" and drive a 3t delivery truck professionally and I NEED to put at least a jacket behind my lower back to comfortably reach the pedals (I have the "long back but short legs " version of the short people problem).
That's a different problem. You didn't choose to be short and there's nothing you can do about it. This idiot chose to get those huge hideous unnatural implants. It's fine. Her body, her choice. But she should know choices have consequences. Her choice, her problem.
Can’t stand this woman. Can’t stand anything about it. This is the second time I’ve seen this twit and I cannot stand her. Last time I saw her was about her trying to trying to get them to extend the size of plane seats or some bullshït She’s an idiot. All natural my arsê!
Sports cars are not known for their accommodating seats. Perhaps remove the silicone from your head and a*s and try again.
“Supercars should be for everyone”. Agree, but manufacturers discriminate against me based on income.
For some context for folks, the cheapest McLaren starts at 195,000 dollars US. However those actually aren't too common. The one in the photo is a McLaren w1. Those start at 2.1 million dollars US.
If she's going to choose an a*s like that she should choose a dump truck.
She did this to herself though? She would probably have been able to fit if she hadn't had surgery to make her butt bigger
Sportscars are optimised for two things, being fast and looking sleek. To achieve that, it is a question of having a small cross section, and reducing the weight. Putting in bigger seats ruins both (takes up more room, an needs to be constructed to be sturdier, e.i. have more material in them), and then it is no longer a sportscar, but an SUV.
I do know she has lipedema. It's abnormal fatty deposits on your body. I don't know how much she is modified her body that I do know people with this condition and it can be devastating.
“Why Do You Need Two Chairs?”
Once again, Gracie Bon has sparked a viral debate. After posting a video where she demanded two chairs for her body — where most of her weight remains in her lower half — to sit comfortably at a restaurant.
In the clip, a person who appeared to be the restaurant owner laughed with her as they helped her arrange the seats.
Since then, it’s received over 5 million views and 80K comments, with some saying there was no natural way for Gracie to achieve her specific physique.
“She isn’t plus-sized; she is surgically altered,” stated one person.
But Gracie has made it clear that her body is not a product of any cosmetic procedure, writing, “Life changes when you love yourself. I’m happy to have you all witness my evolution, and to those who criticize me: no, I have never done any procedure to my face.”
She added, “This body is literally what God gave me. And I have to embrace every single part.”
Poll Question
Should restaurants be more accommodating for people of all body types?
Yes, comfort and dignity matter
To a reasonable extent
No, people should adjust themselves
Not sure
Paying Extra To Fly
Airplanes are known to have uncomfortable, small spaces in order to use the most of the room available. But this wasn’t working for 28-year-old Jaelynn Chaney.
As a plus-size woman, she often took up more space than one seat could hold, and so she demanded airlines give free tickets to customers like her.
This solution was met with a wave of hate comments saying it wasn’t an airplane’s job to accommodate her size. A few netizens came up with the “suggestion” that she should be “charged by weight” in the way someone pays “extra for luggage.”
“So my body is being compared to luggage?” she asked. “Charging by weight is fatphobic and dehumanizing,” adding that she wasn’t a suitcase.
The influencer closed the debate with, “It’s time to stop treating fat people like we don’t deserve the same dignity and respect.”
Poll Question
Do viral debates like this help push real change in travel accessibility?
Yes, they open important discussions
Sometimes — depends on the tone
No, they’re just noise
I'm not sure what the solution is to this, but one thing that is NOT as solution is to bump someone else off the plane in order to give someone two seats. People have plans. It's NEVER okay to bump someone from the seat they paid for (except for obviously some poor behavior by the person themselves).
Flying Private Is The Solution
For the third time, Gracie Bon is standing up for what she believes is right.
After campaigning for bigger seats on aircrafts, the plus-size model said she was now banned from a few select airlines. But to her, this wasn’t a problem as she’s now decided to fly with her own private jet.
“Some airlines banned me so this is how I have to travel,” Gracie said in a video showcasing her experience flying privately.
“Everytime I travel, I used to buy two or three seats. So I started a campaign requesting bigger seats and they didn’t like it. Now flying private is my only solution,” later saying that being banned was the “best thing” to ever happen to her.
“Is flying private the solution for big girls like me?” she asked.
Poll Question
Should influencers like Gracie keep fighting for change, even if it leads to bans or backlash?
Yes, someone has to speak up
Only if done constructively
No, it’s not worth the drama
Depends on the situation
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What does it mean to have biases against larger bodies in healthcare?
Bias against larger individuals leads to inadequate healthcare due to assumptions about health based on weight, a lack of experience among healthcare providers treating patients of diverse body sizes, and structural issues like the size of exam tables.
Why would anyone think these bodies are healthy and to be promoted as role models?
Some of these people are dangerously large!!!! How do you walk around with a body that big without putting stress on your joints, heart etc. Most of them are really young too. They will not want to be 50 and that big and I bet they will absolutely realise that in time.
Load More Replies...You are very optimisic in thinking some of these people will live till 50. There are already "fatfluencers" that died before reaching 40. It's called "morbidly obese" for a reason. What some of these people are doing is basically slow s*****e.
I'm adopted into a Hispanic family. Most of my family members are morbidly obese. I've had cousins die in their 30s due to obesity-related issues. One of my cousins died of obesity-caused kidney failure when he was 24 years old. I've had family members have arms and feet amputated due to gangrene (from obesity-caused diabetes.) I don't think a single one of my relatives who are obese have lived past their 60s. My little cousin, who is in her 30s, has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by her morbid obesity. I'm watching my family die slowly and none of them are making any effort to change their habits or their lives.
Obese no, but it's true that some people's metabolisms or medications make it near-impossible to not be overweight. It is possible to be overweight to a point and still pretty healthy. Just saying the issue isn't black and white, i agree people who are terribly obese don't get to be role-models unless for something unrelated.
I'm quite lost, but if I could buy a McLaren and fly in a private plane I'd give exactly 0 fs about it, and just laugh.
But, would you still demand 2 chairs in a restaurant because you choose to have a comically wide rear?
Load More Replies...I'm going to start this out by saying that I myself am overweight (and not by a little). Body positivity is NOT saying that we need to accept all bodies no matter what. Obesity leads to all kinds of health problems and people should, for their own health and longevity, try to lose the excess weight. Body positivity is great. Not everyone has a models body. But these people are using body positivity as a crutch. People need to be accountable and making everything bigger isn't the way to fix the problem. Lose some weight, get healthier and these problems won't be a problem anymore. - Signed: A fat guy.
I get what you're saying but you're also blaming people for conditions they may have zero control over. This whole obesity obsession by people who aren't obese or overweight and/or whose life it ISN'T is insane
Load More Replies...Most of these people looking for publicity purely to have something (supposedly) worth posting on social media. If we stop giving them publicity, they'll go away. God knows whether they have any actual skills, but at least they'll stop making their lives seem like something to aspire to.
I'm a very large woman. Morbidly obese according to the doctors. But I don't go around demanding special treatment because of it. Entitled people are pure evil, regardless of their "justification".
How can people claim to be "body positiv" while doing THIS to their bodies?
I am amazed at the number of self rationalizing delusional behaviors of no significance that are foisted on society as reasonable. Get some help
I'm over the whole body positive movement because it's gone too far. People who self-inflict their bodies to the point of morbid obesity or starve themselves to the point of emaciation have serious mental health issues and need to be treated medically. There's absolutely nothing positive about any of this.
They're allowed to exist, but they are NOT entitled to any more "rights" than people of normal size.
BP need to get its s**t together and stop posting the same photo on every single portion of the article. Shows how the people who are running the site now are absolutely clueless and unable to get things right. Maybe they should rename the site Bored Clickbait
This freak did this to herself for likes from other freaks. I can give a flying f... about her self mutilation and the fact freak show is whining
I used to think Michelle Tian was cool, at least as a BP staff member. Now I realize she's just as stupid as half the people on this website. I wish BP would stop letting controversial trash on here. I come here to relax, not to watch idiots yell silently at each other.
there is a bias in the medical field against those who have different body types. i am not referring to people whose weight is due to an eating disorder or medical condition. remember those little charts that showed if a person was a certain height then they should be within a certain weight class? that was used for decades until healthcare professionals finally admitted that using it as a guide did not take into consideration a person's frame or even a genetic disposition. by the latter i mean how a certain race of people tend to be built different from other races. while i don't consider myself to be 'fatphobic' i do believe that every person needs to put their general health ahead of some cause promoting acceptance. if a person is comfortable in their skin regardless of shape and size - great! but that doesn't mean choosing that personal acceptance should be used to attack others just as under the c0lour of personal rights.
I do not know where they obtained the steatopygia but I, for one, does not want her thighs blocking out the stereo.
This 'body positivity' movement has gone TOO FAR. People are literally dying at young ages but we're not allowed to say anything as we just get called 'haters.'
After suffering a heart attack and double by-pass surgery I lost 85lbs. I changed my eating habits for good. It can be done, don't give up.
Being Fat/obese is unhealthy, it is a drain on social resources and should not be accommodated any more than smokers are
I am full of sympathy for people who are disabled, elderly etc, and accommodations should be made, but if someone decides to eat so much they are the size of 3 people or decide get surgery to have a ridiculous backside, then no, I have little sympathy for them. People say "I can't help eating 6000 calories a day".. Yes you can! Having been stuck next to a massive woman on a plane where her arm and side fat draped over me for 2 hours alongside her BO I have no sympathy, they decided to eat like a starving elephant. As Thor's mum said... Eat a salad dear.
These "body positivity" promoters/influencer/advocates are no better than the anti-vaxx crowd. They are just attempting to get pity to promote unhealthy lifestyle.
The world is also not designed for very tall people or very short people, difference is that tall or short people can’t help it they are stuck with it, overly heavy people CAN make changes to better fit in the world and make life easier for themselves. My brothers are 6 foot 9 and 6 foot 6 tall with size 17 and 15 feet they can’t find anything to fit in most uk high street clothes stores no one campaigns for shops to include clothes for tall people and where’s the little people section? Seems like they are expected to buy childrens clothes. As a 6 foot 1 female I can get around it by shopping in the mens sections occasionally
Why would anyone think these bodies are healthy and to be promoted as role models?
Some of these people are dangerously large!!!! How do you walk around with a body that big without putting stress on your joints, heart etc. Most of them are really young too. They will not want to be 50 and that big and I bet they will absolutely realise that in time.
Load More Replies...You are very optimisic in thinking some of these people will live till 50. There are already "fatfluencers" that died before reaching 40. It's called "morbidly obese" for a reason. What some of these people are doing is basically slow s*****e.
I'm adopted into a Hispanic family. Most of my family members are morbidly obese. I've had cousins die in their 30s due to obesity-related issues. One of my cousins died of obesity-caused kidney failure when he was 24 years old. I've had family members have arms and feet amputated due to gangrene (from obesity-caused diabetes.) I don't think a single one of my relatives who are obese have lived past their 60s. My little cousin, who is in her 30s, has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by her morbid obesity. I'm watching my family die slowly and none of them are making any effort to change their habits or their lives.
Obese no, but it's true that some people's metabolisms or medications make it near-impossible to not be overweight. It is possible to be overweight to a point and still pretty healthy. Just saying the issue isn't black and white, i agree people who are terribly obese don't get to be role-models unless for something unrelated.
I'm quite lost, but if I could buy a McLaren and fly in a private plane I'd give exactly 0 fs about it, and just laugh.
But, would you still demand 2 chairs in a restaurant because you choose to have a comically wide rear?
Load More Replies...I'm going to start this out by saying that I myself am overweight (and not by a little). Body positivity is NOT saying that we need to accept all bodies no matter what. Obesity leads to all kinds of health problems and people should, for their own health and longevity, try to lose the excess weight. Body positivity is great. Not everyone has a models body. But these people are using body positivity as a crutch. People need to be accountable and making everything bigger isn't the way to fix the problem. Lose some weight, get healthier and these problems won't be a problem anymore. - Signed: A fat guy.
I get what you're saying but you're also blaming people for conditions they may have zero control over. This whole obesity obsession by people who aren't obese or overweight and/or whose life it ISN'T is insane
Load More Replies...Most of these people looking for publicity purely to have something (supposedly) worth posting on social media. If we stop giving them publicity, they'll go away. God knows whether they have any actual skills, but at least they'll stop making their lives seem like something to aspire to.
I'm a very large woman. Morbidly obese according to the doctors. But I don't go around demanding special treatment because of it. Entitled people are pure evil, regardless of their "justification".
How can people claim to be "body positiv" while doing THIS to their bodies?
I am amazed at the number of self rationalizing delusional behaviors of no significance that are foisted on society as reasonable. Get some help
I'm over the whole body positive movement because it's gone too far. People who self-inflict their bodies to the point of morbid obesity or starve themselves to the point of emaciation have serious mental health issues and need to be treated medically. There's absolutely nothing positive about any of this.
They're allowed to exist, but they are NOT entitled to any more "rights" than people of normal size.
BP need to get its s**t together and stop posting the same photo on every single portion of the article. Shows how the people who are running the site now are absolutely clueless and unable to get things right. Maybe they should rename the site Bored Clickbait
This freak did this to herself for likes from other freaks. I can give a flying f... about her self mutilation and the fact freak show is whining
I used to think Michelle Tian was cool, at least as a BP staff member. Now I realize she's just as stupid as half the people on this website. I wish BP would stop letting controversial trash on here. I come here to relax, not to watch idiots yell silently at each other.
there is a bias in the medical field against those who have different body types. i am not referring to people whose weight is due to an eating disorder or medical condition. remember those little charts that showed if a person was a certain height then they should be within a certain weight class? that was used for decades until healthcare professionals finally admitted that using it as a guide did not take into consideration a person's frame or even a genetic disposition. by the latter i mean how a certain race of people tend to be built different from other races. while i don't consider myself to be 'fatphobic' i do believe that every person needs to put their general health ahead of some cause promoting acceptance. if a person is comfortable in their skin regardless of shape and size - great! but that doesn't mean choosing that personal acceptance should be used to attack others just as under the c0lour of personal rights.
I do not know where they obtained the steatopygia but I, for one, does not want her thighs blocking out the stereo.
This 'body positivity' movement has gone TOO FAR. People are literally dying at young ages but we're not allowed to say anything as we just get called 'haters.'
After suffering a heart attack and double by-pass surgery I lost 85lbs. I changed my eating habits for good. It can be done, don't give up.
Being Fat/obese is unhealthy, it is a drain on social resources and should not be accommodated any more than smokers are
I am full of sympathy for people who are disabled, elderly etc, and accommodations should be made, but if someone decides to eat so much they are the size of 3 people or decide get surgery to have a ridiculous backside, then no, I have little sympathy for them. People say "I can't help eating 6000 calories a day".. Yes you can! Having been stuck next to a massive woman on a plane where her arm and side fat draped over me for 2 hours alongside her BO I have no sympathy, they decided to eat like a starving elephant. As Thor's mum said... Eat a salad dear.
These "body positivity" promoters/influencer/advocates are no better than the anti-vaxx crowd. They are just attempting to get pity to promote unhealthy lifestyle.
The world is also not designed for very tall people or very short people, difference is that tall or short people can’t help it they are stuck with it, overly heavy people CAN make changes to better fit in the world and make life easier for themselves. My brothers are 6 foot 9 and 6 foot 6 tall with size 17 and 15 feet they can’t find anything to fit in most uk high street clothes stores no one campaigns for shops to include clothes for tall people and where’s the little people section? Seems like they are expected to buy childrens clothes. As a 6 foot 1 female I can get around it by shopping in the mens sections occasionally