Recently, I overheard a conversation between three of the most popular people at my school. They were discussing a party that had apparently taken place on the weekend. It started off fairly innocently (for their standards) until a fourth boy walked up to the group and joined in the conversation. He immediately started expressing disgust at a girl who had apparently made a move on him at the party. All of his friends joined in, describing her as annoying and desperate, and saying things like “she needs to tone down” and “she is way too confident and loud for her own good.”

They then went on to make snarky remarks about how short her dress was and how much she had drunk at the party…even though they most definitely would have all drunk more and the two girls in the conversation would’ve worn even shorter, more revealing dresses.

What was it that this girl had done to upset them so much?

Well, she is fat.

These people were put off by her confidence and forward attitude because she is fat. They couldn’t believe that someone who they believed should feel guilty and ashamed about their body could have so much self confidence and they then had to put her down to feel better about themselves. Clearly this guy was horrified that someone who didn’t fit his definition of good looking could be attracted to him–or romantically/ sexually interested at all. The underlying fatphobia and body policing of that conversation was so terrible that it made me had to leave the class–especially considering that I am at least fifty kilograms heavier then that girl.

Thin Privilege is being allowed to be romantically interested in whoever you want. Thin Privilege is not causing discomfort or even disgust in people if you flirt with them.* Thin Privilege is being allowed to be confident without being seen as compensating for your body. Thin Privilege is being allowed to be confident period.

*Mod note: People whose romantic/sexual inclinations and gender identifications are marginalized in our society are also not seen as being allowed to be romantically interested in whomever they want, and are accused by bigots of causing discomfort or disgust when they flirt with people they’re interested in. -ATL