After last week’s episode of Empire social media went into a meme frenzy after Gabourey Sidibe’s roof top love scene mocking the passionate innuendo. This lead to the #myfatsexstory movement to change how society looks at the sexuality of big girls. Never again. I’m fat. I’m beautiful. I’m desired. I’m desirable. Period #myfatsexstory
Inspired by the both the love scene and the social media response writer Sesali B. created the hashtag to combat the mindset, “Black women are completely asexualized in the harmful mammy stereotype”, she states in her article on feministing.com. Sesali also uses examples of other “fat female characters” such as, Rasputia, Precious, and Madea which are only used in the sense of comedy and who’s roles are far from anything desirable. It is also important to note here that Rasputia and Madea are also played my men (Eddie Murphy and Tyler Perry) which further adds insult to injury.
Many women have taken to Twitter to give their #myfatsexstory to share their own personal experiences.
I'm not here for the fat admirers that want sympathy for loving fat woman. You're shamed? Try being a fat woman #myfatsexstory
— Noelle Black (@missnoelleblack) November 5, 2015
https://twitter.com/LwiziyenBlaze/status/662385849846341632
#myfatsexstory … the first time i realized my body was desirable was at a play party. the host told me they found my body irresistible.
— shuri murdock (@dopegirlfresh) November 6, 2015
Sad to say that this is only just the tip of the iceberg in how most BBW (Big Beautiful Women) really feel when it comes to their sensuality in the public eye. So with Sidibe’s character getting her sexy on Empire being seen as wanted and desired and not being seen as some overweight desperate character chasing after someone who repulsed by her (remember Monique’s character on The Parker’s).
In an interview Sidibe tells People, “I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done,” the Academy Award-nominated actress said with a laugh. “I’m really, really proud of it. I think the scene was really fun and lovely and sexy. I felt beautiful, and I felt comfortable, and I didn’t look nervous at all, and I was kind of nervous, so I’m really glad that that didn’t come across.” With the Twitter #myfatsexstory Twitter response Gaboury Sidibe and Sesali B. both have a lot to be glad about.
Right now this ladies at the forefront of a developing movement increasing positive body image where women no matter their shape or size has the right to feel sexy and desired and not just as a joke or act of desperation.