These stalls are not designed for fat people

I met a friend this weekend, we decided to join the Bournville Heritage Open Day in Birmingham. It is an amazing day out that happens every year, so if you are in Birmingham in September 2025 I would fully recommend it (but I digress). We agreed to meet in the Cadbury Concert Hall, which was specially open to the public on the day and offering free live concerts. When I got there I realised that there was no way I would fit in one of the stalls... there was no chance to sit in two, so I just stood on the side. Upon leaving, I commented lightly that the stalls were not designed for fat people. My lovely friend seemed rather shocked with my assertion... was fat the word I wanted to use? I asked why this seemed inappropriate, and she explained it seemed to be a word with negative connotations. Yes, of course it is. And I don't use it lightly.

I was taught fat is bad. That fat people are lazy, ugly and unlovable. Has that been your experience? I have judged myself and others more than I can say. It has taken me a long time to realise this is not true. I am fat and also great. I just struggle to sometimes fit in a world not made for me and others like me. I use the word fat to describe myself because it is important that we normalise it. It is just an adjective that describes me, as other adjectives like tall, thin, blonde, describe others. Chairs that are not wide enough are just a physical sign of the discrimination fat people face and one of the many things I hope you can help me change.