{"id":445152,"date":"2026-07-13T16:51:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=445152"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:51:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:51:27","slug":"personnes-grosses-meritent-respect-critiquee-apparence-elusiveworm-prend-parole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/fat-people-deserve-respect-their-appearance-is-criticized-elusiveworm-speaks-out-445152","title":{"rendered":"&quot;Fat people deserve respect&quot;: criticized for her appearance, she speaks out"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Criticized for her appearance, content creator @elusiveworm decided to respond with strength and kindness. Her message is simple: every body deserves to be respected, celebrated, and treated with dignity. This statement resonates with many and underscores the importance of fighting fatphobia.<\/p>\n<h2> Turning criticism into a message of pride<\/h2>\n<p> On Instagram, the content creator known as @elusiveworm has chosen not to let comments about her appearance define her story. Through a powerful post (in English), she shares a crucial idea: fat people, like everyone else, have the right to happiness, love, fashion, and a fulfilling life. Her message highlights a simple yet still necessary demand: respect should never depend on a person&#39;s size, weight, or shape. Every body deserves its place, without having to justify itself or conform to societal standards.<\/p>\n<h2> Reclaiming words to regain power<\/h2>\n<p> Faced with repeated criticism about her appearance, @elusiveworm chose to speak out rather than remain silent. By using the term &quot;fat&quot; simply as a descriptive term and not as an insult, she helps to dismantle the prejudices associated with larger bodies. This approach is part of a broader movement toward self-acceptance and the celebration of all body types. It reminds us that a body is not a problem to be fixed, but rather an integral part of one&#39;s identity. Body diversity deserves to be seen, represented, and valued. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DLvH2NIIoj4\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\"> View this post on Instagram <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"> <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DLvH2NIIoj4\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by lala &gt;\u1d17\u2022 (@elusiveworm)<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2> Fatphobia, a fight that is still relevant today<\/h2>\n<p> Beyond her personal experience, this statement highlights a reality faced by many: fatphobia remains a form of discrimination present in everyday life. It can appear in various areas, such as access to suitable clothing, inappropriate remarks in social situations, or even certain prejudices in the healthcare system.<\/p>\n<p>These situations can have a significant impact on the self-confidence and well-being of those affected. Highlighting these difficulties also helps to open up dialogue and foster a more inclusive society, where every individual can feel legitimate and respected.<\/p>\n<h2> A call to love one&#39;s body unconditionally<\/h2>\n<p> With this post, @elusiveworm isn&#39;t just responding to negative comments. She&#39;s also sending a message of support to everyone who has ever been judged because of their appearance. Her message encourages everyone to look at bodies more kindly and to recognize the beauty of differences. The numerous positive reactions she&#39;s received demonstrate that her message resonates with a deep need: the need to live in an environment where self-confidence and self-esteem are fostered.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, changing mindsets requires these public statements that remind us of a fundamental truth: no body shape should prevent someone from being happy, loved, or respected. Every person deserves to live life to the fullest, with pride, and without having to apologize for existing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Criticized for her appearance, content creator @elusiveworm decided to respond with strength and kindness. Her message is simple:...","protected":false},"author":8264,"featured_media":445153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6130],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-445152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-grossophobie"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Les-personnes-grosses-meritent-le-respect_-_-critiquee-sur-son-apparence-elle-prend-la-parole-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Les-personnes-grosses-meritent-le-respect_-_-critiquee-sur-son-apparence-elle-prend-la-parole-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Les-personnes-grosses-meritent-le-respect_-_-critiquee-sur-son-apparence-elle-prend-la-parole.jpg","author":{"name":"Ana\u00eblle Gayon","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Agayon-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":6130,"name":"Fatphobia","slug":"grossophobie","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":6302,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Fatphobia section of The Body Optimist explains, documents and challenges the discrimination and stigma that fat people face. Its definitions, first-person stories, analysis and practical advice are for people who live with weight bias and for those close to them, with one firm belief: no body justifies mockery, exclusion or unequal treatment, at the doctor\u2019s office, at work or online.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Fatphobia section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Understanding fatphobia<\/strong>: definitions, how anti-fat bias works and the myths that keep it going.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Health care<\/strong>: weight-centered appointments, equipment that doesn\u2019t fit and stories of patients whose concerns were brushed aside.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work and daily life<\/strong>: hiring, insurance, transportation, clothing and stares in public, from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/insurance-denied-because-of-weight-plus-size-model-tess-holliday-denounces-fatphobia-441311\">plus-size model turned down for insurance because of her weight<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/passenger-claims-to-have-been-deported-from-plane-due-to-weight-internet-users-react-438365\">passenger who says she was removed from a flight<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relationships and sexuality<\/strong>: comments about weight, fetishization and humiliating practices such as \u201chogging.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Media and social media<\/strong>: clich\u00e9s, pressure to lose weight and online harassment of public figures and plus-size models, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/ashley-grahams-plus-size-modeling-style-has-reignited-the-fatphobia-debate-435964\">model called \u201ctoo fat\u201d<\/a> whose story reignited the debate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How does fatphobia show up?<\/h2>\n<p>Fatphobia is the discrimination and stigma directed at fat people because of their body size, and it goes far beyond insults. It shows up in particular:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In health care: symptoms automatically blamed on weight, delayed diagnoses, blood pressure cuffs or exam tables that are too small.<\/li>\n<li>At work: applications passed over, comments about the \u201cimage\u201d presented to clients, stalled careers.<\/li>\n<li>In public spaces: seats that are too narrow, sizes missing from stores, comments from strangers.<\/li>\n<li>In the media: fat characters reduced to comic relief, \u201cbefore and after\u201d photos presented as success stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It can also be internalized: you end up judging yourself through the prejudices you\u2019ve absorbed.<\/p>\n<h2>How can you respond to weight-related comments and discrimination?<\/h2>\n<p>Responding starts with refusing to let your body become a topic of conversation you never asked for. A few guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When someone comments, redirect the conversation without justifying your health or your eating habits (\u201cMy weight is my business\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>With a health care provider, restate the reason for your visit, ask whether being weighed is necessary and, if trust is broken, look for another practitioner.<\/li>\n<li>At work or when you are refused a service, keep written records and witness statements, then seek advice from an equality agency, a union or a lawyer in your country.<\/li>\n<li>For yourself, surround yourself with people and accounts that don\u2019t comment on weight, and draw on the resources of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">body positive<\/a> movement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Our approach: name it, explain it, support people<\/h2>\n<p>Formerly known as Ma Grande Taille, our magazine has made fighting weight-based discrimination a pillar of its editorial line. We use the word \u201cfat\u201d without any negative connotation and refuse to make weight loss a condition for respect. Our articles give a voice to the people affected and break down the mechanisms at work rather than stopping at outrage.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/fatphobic-remarks-surely-said-without-knowing-430954\">fatphobic phrases people say without realizing it<\/a>, and why they hurt.<\/li>\n<li>One woman\u2019s reply to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/its-not-up-to-me-to-lose-weight-harmony-albertini-responds-to-fat-shaming-attacks-432423\">fat-shaming attacks telling her to lose weight<\/a>: it\u2019s not up to her.<\/li>\n<li>A firsthand account of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/melodie-prud-denounces-fatphobia-in-couples-441576\">fatphobia in romantic relationships<\/a> and the double standards it reveals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Is fatphobia illegal?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends on where you live. In many countries, anti-discrimination laws cover grounds such as disability, health status or physical appearance, and weight-based discrimination can sometimes fall under them. A few jurisdictions, such as the state of Michigan and New York City, explicitly ban weight discrimination. Elsewhere, weight is not specifically protected, so check the laws in your country or ask an equality agency or a lawyer.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the difference between fatphobia and body shaming?<\/h3>\n<p>Body shaming means criticizing or mocking someone\u2019s body, whatever their size or shape. Fatphobia is broader: it is a system of prejudice and discrimination that specifically targets fat people and also limits their access to health care, jobs and equipment that fits their bodies.<\/p>\n<h3>Why say \u201cfat\u201d instead of \u201coverweight\u201d?<\/h3>\n<p>Many activists have reclaimed \u201cfat\u201d as a neutral descriptor, just like \u201ctall\u201d or \u201cthin.\u201d \u201cOverweight\u201d and \u201cobese\u201d are medical terms that imply a departure from a norm. What matters most is respecting the words each person chooses to describe themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Explore all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\">Society<\/a> topics, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\">Feminism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> sections, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":5678,"count":102,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":6130,"category_count":102,"category_description":"<p>The Fatphobia section of The Body Optimist explains, documents and challenges the discrimination and stigma that fat people face. Its definitions, first-person stories, analysis and practical advice are for people who live with weight bias and for those close to them, with one firm belief: no body justifies mockery, exclusion or unequal treatment, at the doctor\u2019s office, at work or online.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Fatphobia section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Understanding fatphobia<\/strong>: definitions, how anti-fat bias works and the myths that keep it going.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Health care<\/strong>: weight-centered appointments, equipment that doesn\u2019t fit and stories of patients whose concerns were brushed aside.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work and daily life<\/strong>: hiring, insurance, transportation, clothing and stares in public, from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/insurance-denied-because-of-weight-plus-size-model-tess-holliday-denounces-fatphobia-441311\">plus-size model turned down for insurance because of her weight<\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/passenger-claims-to-have-been-deported-from-plane-due-to-weight-internet-users-react-438365\">passenger who says she was removed from a flight<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relationships and sexuality<\/strong>: comments about weight, fetishization and humiliating practices such as \u201chogging.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Media and social media<\/strong>: clich\u00e9s, pressure to lose weight and online harassment of public figures and plus-size models, like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/ashley-grahams-plus-size-modeling-style-has-reignited-the-fatphobia-debate-435964\">model called \u201ctoo fat\u201d<\/a> whose story reignited the debate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How does fatphobia show up?<\/h2>\n<p>Fatphobia is the discrimination and stigma directed at fat people because of their body size, and it goes far beyond insults. It shows up in particular:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In health care: symptoms automatically blamed on weight, delayed diagnoses, blood pressure cuffs or exam tables that are too small.<\/li>\n<li>At work: applications passed over, comments about the \u201cimage\u201d presented to clients, stalled careers.<\/li>\n<li>In public spaces: seats that are too narrow, sizes missing from stores, comments from strangers.<\/li>\n<li>In the media: fat characters reduced to comic relief, \u201cbefore and after\u201d photos presented as success stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It can also be internalized: you end up judging yourself through the prejudices you\u2019ve absorbed.<\/p>\n<h2>How can you respond to weight-related comments and discrimination?<\/h2>\n<p>Responding starts with refusing to let your body become a topic of conversation you never asked for. A few guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When someone comments, redirect the conversation without justifying your health or your eating habits (\u201cMy weight is my business\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>With a health care provider, restate the reason for your visit, ask whether being weighed is necessary and, if trust is broken, look for another practitioner.<\/li>\n<li>At work or when you are refused a service, keep written records and witness statements, then seek advice from an equality agency, a union or a lawyer in your country.<\/li>\n<li>For yourself, surround yourself with people and accounts that don\u2019t comment on weight, and draw on the resources of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/bodypositive\">body positive<\/a> movement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Our approach: name it, explain it, support people<\/h2>\n<p>Formerly known as Ma Grande Taille, our magazine has made fighting weight-based discrimination a pillar of its editorial line. We use the word \u201cfat\u201d without any negative connotation and refuse to make weight loss a condition for respect. Our articles give a voice to the people affected and break down the mechanisms at work rather than stopping at outrage.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/fatphobic-remarks-surely-said-without-knowing-430954\">fatphobic phrases people say without realizing it<\/a>, and why they hurt.<\/li>\n<li>One woman\u2019s reply to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/its-not-up-to-me-to-lose-weight-harmony-albertini-responds-to-fat-shaming-attacks-432423\">fat-shaming attacks telling her to lose weight<\/a>: it\u2019s not up to her.<\/li>\n<li>A firsthand account of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\/melodie-prud-denounces-fatphobia-in-couples-441576\">fatphobia in romantic relationships<\/a> and the double standards it reveals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Is fatphobia illegal?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends on where you live. In many countries, anti-discrimination laws cover grounds such as disability, health status or physical appearance, and weight-based discrimination can sometimes fall under them. A few jurisdictions, such as the state of Michigan and New York City, explicitly ban weight discrimination. Elsewhere, weight is not specifically protected, so check the laws in your country or ask an equality agency or a lawyer.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the difference between fatphobia and body shaming?<\/h3>\n<p>Body shaming means criticizing or mocking someone\u2019s body, whatever their size or shape. Fatphobia is broader: it is a system of prejudice and discrimination that specifically targets fat people and also limits their access to health care, jobs and equipment that fits their bodies.<\/p>\n<h3>Why say \u201cfat\u201d instead of \u201coverweight\u201d?<\/h3>\n<p>Many activists have reclaimed \u201cfat\u201d as a neutral descriptor, just like \u201ctall\u201d or \u201cthin.\u201d \u201cOverweight\u201d and \u201cobese\u201d are medical terms that imply a departure from a norm. What matters most is respecting the words each person chooses to describe themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Explore all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\">Society<\/a> topics, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\">Feminism<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> sections, and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/psycho\/confiance-en-soi\">Self-confidence<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Fatphobia","category_nicename":"grossophobie","category_parent":5678}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8264"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=445152"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":446078,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445152\/revisions\/446078"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/445153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=445152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=445152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=445152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}