NOLOSE

[cassidyrose]

I had a great time at the NOLOSE conference this weekend. I was kind of sad I didn't get to do the conference hard core and stay at the hotel and all, but I was still there all all three days and really enjoyed myself. I am feeling a touch over-processed and emotionally spent, but that is to be expected. Lots of stuff swirling in my head that I will posting about in the coming weeks such as:

• Why it is important and empowering to shop for clothes in fat-positive space
• The strong-ish butch/femme identification going on in this particular queer community amongst people my age and younger. Where am I in this? Also, why do I present much more strongly femme in this type of queer space (which arguably largely overlaps with performance space for me) than I do in my day-to-day life?
• Why eating without shame as a community is important
• Countless thoughts about fat panic as it relates to children. Loving thinking about Marilyn's point that no one is actually talking to children about this and what does that mean. Also thinking about all the childhood baggage around food and body shame that people carry with them for the rest of their lives.
• Performance as political activism.
• Why I think fat people need to stop trying to justify/apologize for their existence and how this relates to healthism and ableism.
• How identifying as queer as opposed to lesbian, gay, or bi may actually inform one's views on a number of issues.
• The fascinating way that so many people at the conference were at some many different points on their fat journeys.
• How I am sometimes startled at the number of fat activists I actually know, in like, real life...until I remember that I am actually one of those people and sometimes people area actually excited to meet me.
• The personal and political around NOLOSE's gender policy

On a lighter note, I got three, count 'em THREE, awesome vintage dresses at the Re/Dress sale at the conference. I even belted (yes, it's a verb), much to Matilda's delight. I look like a character out of "Mad Men" in the dresses. I am duly pleased.

And, I apparently need much funkier eye-wear. It was like a funky eyeglass contest at the conference. I fear, however, if I opt for rhinestone glasses to wear with the dresses I am only one tattoo away from becoming a certified Oakland hipster.