I am honestly so so so SO happy I discovered this collection. I considered myself a deconstruct person when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community (being pansexual & a demigirl), and the way to society sees bodies and fat people. But I still discovered so many stuff, so many interesting stories and point of view. For example, I learned about the Gainers, people who want to gain weight, for various reasons. And I think it is wonderful to have put a collection such as this one into being because it destructs many mindsets society try to stuff in our heads. The authors use many different ways to deliver their testimony, their messages, their stories. Each is fantastic in its own way, rich in meanings and beauty.

Fat and Queer is an incredible work, mixing various voices and experience so share a universal need: acceptance. This thing we all need, whoever we are, and it is harder for some people. People society see as different, people they can’t put in boxes, people who stand out in the best of way possible. And this need it showed in many different ways, including how society and people shape us. Many stories contain the way our families and friends give us advises they think are amazing when it is, in fact, destructive. How society will always lead us to more diets and standards of beauty. Even when we’re out of normal boxes, society will find a way to put norms on our shoulders. Oh, you are fat and queer? Why aren’t you butch, or bear then? The stories of this collection talk about that, not fitting into boxes but finding our own ways to be the amazing people we are.

Also, this book felt very special to me, because it is the first time since I came out as a demigirl that I read testimonies about people out of the cis queer community. I found myself on so many pages of this book I can’t even count them all. In many ways, I felt seen and understood and loved and this is such an amazing feeling when reading something. Because it talks about being ourselves and being love, by sharing love and true stories. To be totally honest with you: I wish such a book existed when I left high school. Because I used to be fat, very fat. And I hated this body. I hated myself. I hated everything about it. So I lost it all. First by being sick – thanks to eating disorders – then in a healthier way. But still. I changed myself because I did not know how to love what I was seeing in the mirror. I didn’t know how to look at myself and tell myself, damn girl, you are amazing. But as much I as wish I could have read something like this sooner, I don’t regret reading it now. Because it put things back on perspective. The authors are pretty much all older than thirty, and this is perfect. Perfect because it gave me hope that it is never too late to love oneself (I am not saying thirty is old, but I am twenty-one and thought I had wasted years hating my body).

Okay, enough talking about myself. All of this to tell you that whoever you are, you will find yourself in this book one way or another. Because there are so many experiences, so many stories, so many voices. You will learn, also, even if you think you know. Because one can never know everything since people and society are fluctuating things that don’t fit well into boxes. This book will make you smile, will make you cry, make you want to wear a bikini in front of the mirror and love yourself, or to go down the street and march to be accepted how you are. It will make you happy, will make you angry, will give you hope and love and everything you need to take a step closer so self-love. I highly recommend this one.

It is so refreshing to read such a diverse title that reflects on the intersections of so many different identities. Equally engaging and informative.

I love that now fat and queer people have this book. That really represent them. How often can we find a book like this? Not often and this is a one smart move. The voice of people who have been marginalized for their identity and size are now be heard by this book.

I've been reading this for days. And I am loving it, except from the poems. I don't know but every time I am reading the poems it was so sudden. I just hope that the book was divided into two sections between prose and poetry. There's nothing wrong with that. It can help more readers to focus. Readers can read prose without interruption and read poetry with maintaining the moon. Other thing I noticed the page 55 where there's a misspelled words and words without space. This is a good book, for me it just need help for content organization. Because everytime I read a prose and a sudden poem pops out it distract me and ruining my mood. I am not saying that the poems are not good, I am saying that when reading most people want to stick from their chosen medium.

i received this book via net gallery in exchange for a review on eBook format
i rated this book three stars since even though i believe that it is quite a good book and that it is important for my diversity especially in the LGBTQ+ community itself i read this book quite quickly between online lessons and did quite enjoy it. i would like to say that they is a lot of different story's all homed in one book so if you wanted to just read it for some light reading you can skin the contents to find the ones that appeal to you the most.
i think this is the sort of book that everyone should at least try to read it might not be for you and that's okay but if you try it and find out that it is for you then I'm sure that the story's showcased are something you will probably remember for quite a long time

I enjoyed reading this anthology, It was interesting to read about the intersections in the topics in ways that I haven't thought about before. It was a good one to dip in and out of , and I liked that it was a mix of poetry, prose, and traditional essay.

I do think that given the content there should be some content warnings provided; homophobia, fat phobia, eating disorders

This anthology contains some beautiful stories and poems, but what I appreciate most about it is how it offered me a perspective on the intersectionality that fat & queer individuals may experience.
Some parts were very relatable to me, whereas other parts were absolutely new to me and challenged my own internalised fatphobia.

The editors offered an interesting perspective into the process of compiling this anthology and into what gets left out. I appreciated this. Because it is a selection I would ask readers to engage with the subject further and not treat this as the only instance where they engage with the topics that are introduced.

While I highly recommend this anthology, I do think it should come with a few content-warnings such as:
Strong language, instances of homophobia, transphobia and fatphobia, eating disorders, drug and substance abuse, sexual assaults, self-harm

As a fat queer woman I’m used to not seeing versions of myself represented apart from as punchlines. In ‘Fat and Queer’ the editors hold a megaphone to the voices of fat queer and trans people of different sizes, races, genders etc., showing that we exist in multitudes, we always have, and we always will.

The collection is well curated and speaks to many different experiences of fatness, some of which I’d never really thought of before. Fat queer people tell their stories of love, sex, trauma and happiness and how they relate to the body, which is centred in cultural imaginings of both identities. To be both fat and queer is complex and frustrating and freeing here, and the authors are not afraid to dive deep, and discuss intimate and formative experiences.

It’s a four not a five for me as, in most anthologies, some pieces spoke less to me than others. I’d recommend this collection to fat queers wishing to feel seen and to LGBT+ people who aren’t fat, as this is an intersection often ignored or not thought of.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We have all heard and read stories about being gay and things that may have to be dealt with. But, I never considered being gay and fat and what may have to be endured. This book gives you a glimpse of being fat and queer. Some will make you laugh,some will make you cry and some will make you angry. But no matter what emotion you may experiece while reading this book, the one thing I wish we all take away from it is this. No one should be treated badly due to their sexual orientation or body size. No matter what the circumstance may be. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review. I highly recommend this read.

This is a stunning anthology filled with so many diverse experiences being fat and queer. So many different writing styles and stories that really shine, even those with writing styles that aren't usually for me still feel incredibly raw and genuine. It is so important for more anthologies like this to get published for more readers to enjoy these stories, especially seeing how these communities often get misrepresented or ignored.

<i><b>"I am neither parody nor ideal.
I am saint and sinner. I exist as a contradiction, I will challenge every petty word and lie you tell to make me smaller in your mind.
Women like me walk with the goddesses."</b></i>

Not all of the stories are tragic or beautiful, often it's a mixture of both. This anthology really succeeds in showcasing the many struggles one faces being both queer and fat while also celebrating the beauty that comes with it. We get stories that are often not seen in popular media, poems and stories about fat queer people having sex, enjoying their bodies and loving their partners, getting superpowers, growing old and loving art, etc etc. So many lovely stories that are deeply personal and often fun to read. I love that even this anthology features various authors with different backgrounds and upbringings, no community is a monolith and this expresses that fully. Also this is my first anthology, what a way to start.

Highly, highly recommend to everyone.

Some of my favourites (didn't realize how much I love poems):
- Seven Nights of Noodles by Jay Audrey
- Unnamed poem by Ruth Gibbs
- About My Breasts, Since You Asked by Sherre Vernon
- Unnamed poem by Ninamarie Ochoa

tw: homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, eating disorders, drug abuse, sexual assault
(the first three are more common amongst the stories, the other three are mentioned in a few but not explicitly shown)

<i><b>Thank you to netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review</b></i>

This anthology provided me with a deeper understanding of the intersectionality between being fat and queer which, I feel, is often overlooked. I really enjoyed being able to learn from different voices and perspectives and while i did prefer some sections to others, overall I had a very positive reading experience with this. I definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking to further their knowledge of the queer community and how that interacts with being a fat person.

I intended to read this bit by bit, absorbing it slowly over some days, but I ended up reading it start to finish, possibly too fast!

I loved the structure, particularly the way that poetry is interspersed with essays and short fiction. I enjoyed contributions from known writers, and wrote down a bunch of names that are new to me too. The diversity of voices is great in terms of race and class as well as gender and sexuality (though I was surprised and disappointed by the lack of disabled voices). I liked how many of the pieces explicitly addressed intersectionality, and how present those values were throughout the book.

I do think content warnings would be valuable, since there are a wide range of heavy topics addressed, and the content is so varied that it can be a bit jarring going straight from one experience into another. That said, the sense of kinship - of 'family business' is really enjoyable. I also appreciated the editors' acknowledgement of all the pieces that didn't make it into the anthology, and the sense of a wider world of fat queer experience/activism beyond these pages.

3.5/5

Thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.

I his compilation of short stories was interesting and entertaining. Moderately enjoyable read and insightful.

arc provided by netgalley for an honest review

I think this book did a good job talking about the intersectionality between being both fat and queer as this is something that I hardly see talked about, because as stated in the book— cisgender, heterosexual, and thin is seen as the norm.

Just a bit of warning in advance, this book is filled with multiple topics and can be triggering for people so I would consider taking your time while reading this book.

TW: fatphobia, transphobia, homophobia

Wow! This book blew my mind. It is one of those amazing books that simply makes you see everything in a new light. This is my first book of 2021 and I can already tell that it will be one of favorites for 2021.

I can say that I really enjoyed this book! This was something that I didn’t know I needed to read but am very glad that I had the opportunity to. This was a compilation of essays and poems about being fat and queer. I loved how each one was written by different people with different identities. They each told a story that you can gain something from and I definitely did. I learned so much more about others and what it means to be fat and queer, and how it can be different for each person. I finished reading this feeling understood and more comfortable with my own identity.I will for sure be ordering this book when it comes out. As well as looking further into the writers that have now hooked me due to this book.

People come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. When you are ridiculed, you have to learn how to uplift yourself. It helps to have a tribe that you can confide in and who lifts you up as well. This anthology lifts, some parts may trigger those who struggle with their weight. Keep reading. You will find a tribe within the pages.

This anthology includes many diverse voices that have a wide range experiences being both fat and queer. What was specifically interesting was how being fat connects to queerness and gender and how that impacts the journey that these authors have taken in understanding their own identity.

Some were joyful, some were very hard to read. Mental health is another constant theme amongst these essays and it is easy to understand why. Most of all these stories were powerful and illuminating and very important.

As is often the case with anthologies, I enjoyed some stories more than others however there really is something for everyone in this book and I certainly liked a great deal more than I did not. Therefore I fully recommend.

The examination of the intersection of these two identities from so many different perspectives was fascinating and moving. I enjoyed this anthology for the most part, although I did feel it was centered more strongly on the gay male experience than I would have liked to see for something that represents all queer identities, but that could just be my perception. Otherwise very good, and I will be recommending it to others!

4.5/5

As someone who has read, discussed, debated intersectionality in terms of homophobia and LGBTQIA+ rights in class or just with friends and family, one thing that always gets left out of the discussion is being fat. I’ve taken English classes and even Women’s and Gender Studies classes where I am the only person discussing fatphobia- I’ve written multiple papers and given just as many presentations- and the amount of stunned faces never surprises me. Being fat, you live with microaggressions people never pick up on. Unlearning fatphobia is almost always put on the fat person- we have to teach skinny people about these microaggressions, how they’re favorite book/movie/tv show/song/person is fatphobic; how small, seemingly innocent things- like the Fat Monica storyline from Friends or lyrics from Queen’s “Fat Bottomed Girls”- actually leave deep scars that fat people are just expected to deal with. How would you feel if your favorite show or band used a characteristic that you struggled with to make a joke? And millions of people laughed? This is an everyday experience for fat people.

Fat & Queer takes the intersections of fatphobia and queerness along with all the other intersectional identities one person can have- race, mental health, class, even gender- and succinctly and intimately divulges how being fat and queer are more similar than different.

Like many of the authors and poets in this anthology, I have been fat most of my life; I’ve been told that I’d look better if I lost a few pounds, or maybe I should try shape-wear; I worked at Torrid and was still bodyshamed- by a manger no less; I cried when I found a beautiful prom dress that was actually too big. Seeing similar experiences laid out bare and raw makes me ache, makes me feel seen in a way most people don’t understand. So many authors used the term “I take up too much space” and do you know how many times I have had that very same thought? The amount of effort I’ve gone through to shrink down? I wanted to cry at the fact someone else was vocalizing these things; that I wasn’t alone. Not to mention so many similar things bring fat people together, like Hairspray, Shirley Jackson and Carmen Maria Machado (who has an essay in this collection!) and tumblr, all things I’ve loved in my fat life, too.

This anthology should be required reading for everyone, readers and advocates and teachers alike. It’s illuminating and organized in such a way that there’s something for everyone to enjoy: poetry, essays, short stories. Topics range from a little bit of everything fat and queer people have to go through, from judgement to hard won acceptance, relationships with friends and family, and even sex and kinks. It’s also so refreshing because most of these writings are from people who are older- 30s, 40s, and 50s- and are still finding out about themselves, whether it be their sexuality or gender or how to enter into a relationship- for the first time in some cases- as a fat person. It teaches that there’s always room to grow and change, and not one single way to live life.

For fat and queer people, this anthology is a collection of voices and experiences we desperately need more of but for skinny and cis/straight people, it’s a learning experience that is needed to understand their role in the perpetuation of fatphobia.

Branching the sometimes forced divide between fat people and queer people, the editors of this book took special care to include a variety of voices and language to look into the hearts of the fat & queer community. Fatphobia has become an insidious and harmful part of mainstream culture, not only on a grand scale but also on a scale involving partners and family members. Even when one sense of "otherness" may be accepted, fatness is still something many people have yet to understand and allow the presence of. Fat and Queer is a new essential work for queer and straight people alike, as well as fat and thin. All people would likely benefit from reading this anthology, whether for a sense of togetherness or to understand friends, loved ones, and strangers even.