Taking Up Space: The Roots and Implications of Sizeism
Seating Instructions: Seating is first-come, first-served. Reserved seating options are available for accessibility and accommodations. For detailed accessibility information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.
In a culture trained by centuries of sexism and racism to objectify women's bodies, to privilege thinness, and to condemn fatness, the importance of celebrating and respecting fat bodies can be difficult for some to grasp. Social systems of sizeism and ableism deny fat bodies equal worth, access, and value. Outdated practices in the healthcare industry invalidate personal autonomy, pathologize, and endanger big bodies. Anti-fat bias in hiring and recruiting can mean missing out on talented candidates who we assume to lack individual willpower or discipline simply because of their size. In this workshop, we explore sizeism and ableism through the intersectional lens of sexism, racism, and classism. We discuss the implications of anti-fat bias in the workplace and learn to create inclusive spaces for bodies of all sizes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the concepts of sizeism, anti-fat bias, body positivity, and fat activism.
- Examine our experiences and messaging around fatness and fatphobia.
- Explore the systemic roots of sizeism and its implications in the workplace, education, and healthcare.
- Recognize and interrupt microaggressions and bias related to fatphobia.
- Practice with tools and skills to act as an ally to fat persons.
Direct Link to Session Materials: If the speaker provides session materials, you can access them via the app, web format or at https://presentations.shrm.org/.
Live Streaming and Recording: Unless marked 'in person only,' all sessions are live-streamed on the app or web format and available for replay 30 days after the event.
Acknowledgment of Technical Issues: While rare, technical issues may occur during sessions. We appreciate your patience as we quickly address them.
Accessibility & Accommodations Information: For detailed accessibility & accommodations information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.
Kaitlin Desselle
Kaitlin brings over 10 years of inclusive leadership experience and business innovation to her diversity, equity, inclusion, and access work. With a strong corporate background in crisis and change management, her superpower is building empowered teams and organizational cultures that interrupt systems of oppression and marginalization. As a queer woman and fat liberation activist, Kaitlin is passionate about creating safer spaces where all bodies are celebrated and have agency.
Kaitlin lives on the Little Feminist Farm just outside of Atlanta, where she and her partner enjoy sustainable homesteading and host social justice workshops and sanctuary retreats.
