‘Fat Beach Day’ launched on New York beach to breed inclusivity and acceptance

The event, organized by Jordan Underwood, sought to create an environment where people could feel comfortable and accepted regardless of their size.

“We’re going through something culturally that is impacting us every day on an individual level and a systemic level,” Underwood explained to The Guardian. “We’re really trying to open up a space for people to be themselves.”

Underwood, a plus-size model and artist, shared her personal experiences of being bullied for her weight during her youth. This led her to start a blog at the age of 12, marking the beginning of her journey in "fat activism."

Throughout New York City, Underwood has organized various events. For Fat Beach Day, she collaborated with the Brooklyn vintage store Berriez, which specializes in clothing "curated for curves." Emma Zack, the founder of Berriez, expressed her excitement about the event.

“I’m so self-conscious at the beach, and I’m never around people that look like me,” Zack said. “I’m excited we’ve created this space for folks with bigger bodies to have a good time.”

Similar events are being held across the United States to provide spaces for the “plus-size community” to come together and celebrate their bodies. A Fat Friends Pool Party is scheduled in Chicago in July, and a Bellies Out Beach Day will soon take place in Los Angeles in a few weeks.

Zack highlighted the societal challenges faced by overweight individuals, particularly the criticism received on social media.

“It’s a really sh*tty time, not just on the internet but in society, to be fat, and it feels really violent in a lot of ways,” she claimed. “You’d think it wouldn’t be such a thing because New York is so open, and you dress however you want. I always say I never realized how much people hate fat people until I got TikTok.”