Being declared morbidly obese by a doctor. If you go to the doctor for a simple sore throat, they will tell you about your weight. When traveling, when airplane seats are anything but suitable for your stature. Deal with mistakes and prejudices.
Posted at 12:59 am. Updated at 06:00.
All this (and more) is part of life for fat people. On the contrary, instead of crying about it, the show F*ck ta grossophobia, which will be shown at ZooFest on July 14th and 16th, suggests laughing about it.
“Everything becomes less uncomfortable when you laugh about it. It’s like naming the elephant in the room,” summarizes comedian and columnist Josiane Aubuchon during a video conference interview with writer and comedian Marie-Hélène Racine-Lacroix – who will host both parties – and photographer Julie Artacho.
PHOTO ÉMILIE LAPOINTE PROVIDED BY ZOOFEST
Marie-Hélène Racine-Lacroix, June 2022
Laughing at the ridiculous things we’ve been told also means pointing out that it’s not our fault and that we don’t deserve to be treated that way.
Marie Helene Racine Lacroix
On the programme: her two numbers, that of the columnist and author Catherine Éthier (who will deal with the clumsiness of her thin friend) and those of two personalities who are not comedians: the burlesque artist Rosie Bourgeoisie and the photographer Julie Artacho.
Activism through humor
According to Julie Artacho, laughter helps de-dramatize things. “There are many hyperuniversal experiences associated with large bodies,” she says. Fatphobia, discrimination, it’s no fun, but being fat isn’t serious. I think laughing about it can do that in a way too. »
Julie Artacho happily accepted the stand-up challenge. Militant messages, she says, work much better when they are humorous. She seems comfortable with it. “I think we’ve all developed a sense of self-deprecation to protect ourselves. Her problem, she explains, will be accessibility. Accessibility in transportation (“Travelling is terrifying for me”, Accessibility in sport (“There is no piece of equipment suitable for sport and there are always weight limits!”).
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, PRESS ARCHIVE
Photographer Julie Artacho
For her part, Josiane Aubuchon will address the fatphobia she experienced in a medical environment. When a doctor officially declared her morbidly obese, a Pandora’s box opened in her home. “I said to myself: Come on, morbidly obese, I’m active! There’s no way you could change the words and call it “I know, I don’t know me,” “chubby,” or “jigglypuff”? ‘ asks Josiane Aubuchon, causing the other girls to laugh.
Marie-Hélène Racine-Lacroix will speak for her share of the “nonsense” she’s heard when dating men, but she would also have a lot to say from a medical perspective. “A doctor has taken my blood pressure several times because he didn’t think I had good pressure,” she says.
“It’s everyone’s business”
These are the seventh and eighth performances of the show F*ck ta grossophobia. The first took place at the Minifest last summer. And every time, the artists say, there’s a wonderful connection between the comedians and the audience who already know the codes. Julie Artacho, who was part of the public last year, confirms this. “It’s fun to hear about our reality from people who actually live it, rather than people who envision it in some kind of grotesque fantasy. »
However, the trio insist the show is open to all, is “mega-inclusive” and has nothing preachy about it. The description even prompts viewers to “bring it with you.” [leurs] skinny friends”.
“I like to say that the thin ones, even if we wanted to prevent them from coming, are so thin that they could still sneak in!” laughs Marie-Hélène Racine-Lacroix.
And fatphobia affects everyone, says Julie Artacho, who points out that pretty much everyone is afraid of gaining weight.
“It is above all a funny comedy show, a funny show that can do everyone good,” concludes Marie-Hélène Racine-Lacroix.
The cabaret F*ck ta grossophobia will be performed at the Sainte-Catherine Theater on July 14 at 10:15 p.m. and on July 16 at 5:30 p.m.