Fatty Bechdel Test

One of the greatest things that has come out of me writing irregularly on the internets, is being a part of the wonderful plus size community. Most of this is based on the shared frustrations of the plus size fashion retailers (which is getting WAY better in recent years), and the anger in how fellow fats are represented in the media. 

I've not really used this space to talk about these kinda issues, and I'm not really sure why!

I'm lucky enough to be a part of a community, where when the hive mind has an idea, there is a wonderful person who can put these ideas into practice: which is what we got with the Fatty Bechdel Test. 

The Bechdel test itself works on the premise that some (most) female characters are just a plot device to talk about the male characters. 

Take the strong female pairing of River Song and Amy Pond. Two strong women who seem like good role models. Right? Wrong - when you look at it, they spend most of their time on screen together talking about The Doctor. So are they just a plot device? 

And that is what the Hive mind wanted to look at in terms of plus size characters in film and TV: are they just a plot device, or do they have a purpose. 

Now, the idea behind this is new, and relying on the Hive mind (us) to suggest plot devices, characters, films, and TV shows to 'rate'. We are then able to vote as to whether we feel a character does or doesn't meet certain standards - and therefore whether that show passes the Fatty Bechdel test. 

I have suggested and rated the character of Sookie St James in the Gilmore Girls as a character who passes the test, from my point of view, but having just checked, I've seen other ratings which someone else does not feel that she is as perfect an example as I might think. And that is okay. 

So go, check this website out, join in the rating and suggestions process and let me know what you think.

Do we even need a Fatty Bechdel test? Or is it long over due?

Much love my lovelies, 

K x