Feederism: the new "in the closet"

The May issue of Details magazine uncovered the new "in the closet." Beginning with the story of a 336-pound man aspiring to double his weight, feederism is different than finding large people sexually arousing--it is a fat fetish where "gainers" get off on growing themselves or their partners, and consciously morph themselves into obesity.

Although this subculture remains largely unrecognized by mainstream society, its participant and fan base is growing rapidly through internet exposure (and sites like gaininggoddess.com). Even so, feeders admit that dating is difficult in our fat-phobic society where thin is in and binging as foreplay is unspeakable. Yet this is also part of the appeal.

Feederism is basically a big cultural "fuck you." One man recounts how when he hears whispers in restaurants regarding his massive consumption, he simply orders more. Other women tell stories of being high food restricters, and one day finally deciding to have it all. New York University anthropology professor Don Kulick explains, "Fat is so demonized in this society that it actually makes it attractive."

But let's remember that there is difference between feederists and overweight individuals. Both the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance and the International Size Acceptance Association condemn the practice, saying that "one partner should not be controlling another's size."

But there's another problem. For those who crave larger and larger partners, traditional positions become impractical, and sex less and less frequent.

You can check out the article in its entirety here. It is an interesting read, but I could not bring myself to summarize particular details for the sake of shock value, as I found the magazine to do all too well. I am linking this for broader understandings of the body and sex, not to laugh and gawk at different fantasies.

I began writing this blog, compulsively eying the time for my yoga class to begin. My life style is an absolute opposite to feederism, which I don't think is healthy either. Whether it is obsessing to lose weight or gain, there really seems to be no focus on a natural, balanced bodies(whatever that may be). I do raise an eyebrow whenever emotions come out in food, or any other sort of channel (alcohol, drugs, exercise). Both feedees and feeders develop lifestyles that revolve around their binging and sexual practices, which either border lines or is an addiction--not sure. But hey, I have my own, so we can all talk about the health implications of obesity, but I'm not pointing fingers. It is nice to be reminded that every one has different sexualities and can enjoy themselves with others, even without conforming to particular cultural standards.