Having sex when you're fat is not an urban myth. There's nothing shocking or disturbing about it. But when you are the fat person having or trying to have the sex it can sometimes feel like it is a taboo manoeuvre. Let's be honest, fat bodies getting fucked are not ever going to be the... Continue Reading →
Back in 2011, I wrote about the media and advertising construction of 'real women' as curvy creatures who weren't represented adequately by (apparently 'unreal') fashion and beauty models. I pointed out that all women are real - whether or not they are tall, black, short, trans, white, fat, athletic, thin, disabled etc - and so... Continue Reading →
Sex has always been a huge part of my life. Over the years, and thanks to a string of one night stands and varying lengths of relationships, I've successfully managed to notch up a fairly substantial number of partners. I never really dwelled too much on society's perceptions of what the implications of having it... Continue Reading →
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say. Whoever 'they' are, I wouldn't listen to them if I were you. After all, this 'beholder' might be someone with completely different ideals of beauty to you. They might be someone who thinks that feminine beauty is all about a slender hairless body that appeals... Continue Reading →
I was asked recently about how to develop a positive body image. The biggest problem with body confidence is that most people think it starts with the mirror, but it actually begins in the mind. You have to get to that point where you love what you have. It's not necessary to look in the... Continue Reading →
Last night was the first, and perhaps only, Rarely Wears Lipstick Awards Ceremony. When I had the idea last year to create my own awards bash, I really didn't think it through but - with the help of my nearest and dearest - it turned into a proper polished celebration of the work of many... Continue Reading →
Back in 2009, I had a different attitude to the size of my body and the clothes which covered it. In my 20s I had always told myself - however stupid it might sound now - that I'd take healthy eating and exercise a bit more seriously if I ever reached a size 16. Except,... Continue Reading →
Nominations for the first ever Rarely Wears Lipstick awards closed yesterday and I've counted up all your suggestions to come up with eight shortlists for voting. You've nominated some amazing people, organisations and websites! I hope everyone takes a bit of time to check out all the websites and Twitter feeds of the nominees before... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year, my talented and inspiring best friend, Amanda Jones, started a offering body-positive LGBTQ-friendly adult beginners dance classes. As a qualified dance teacher, when friends told her that they would love to learn ballet but couldn't find any classes to suit them, Amanda decided to create one. I took part in her first... Continue Reading →
How the hell have I only just found out about Slink Magazine? The Guardian's Fashion blog published an interview with Slink's editor-in-chief yesterday and it was amazing to discover that, not only does a fashion magazine for 'plus size' women now exist, but that the thin-bias of the fashion industry makes it extremely hard for... Continue Reading →