Big Fat Blog Bids Adieu: April 1, 2009
To the community:
After much consideration, I've decided to cease writing at Big Fat Blog as of April 1, 2009.
It's been a long and incredible journey. A little 5-page website I put up to support my college lecture on sizism back in 2000 ended up being - for a long while - the largest fat acceptance blog on the web; the site lived on to see a community of nearly 3,000 people sign up to join in the fight for fat acceptance and fat rights. I've always, always been impressed with the level of discourse and incredible intelligence of our members.
2008 was a big year of change for me professionally and personally. As has always been the case, BFB isn't my day job. I was able to devote a lot more time to it in the past than I am now, and rather than allow the quality of the site to decrease any further I'd rather simply stop.
The struggle for fat equality is, in a word, hard. But I've been encouraged by things such as the BFB and Fat Rights Coalition (nee COFRA) Think Tanks, the formation of the Fat Rights Coalition, and the number of blogs that have sprouted up. It's pretty amazing to think that just about 9 years ago it was BFB and a bunch of nothin'; now it's hundreds of great resources, written by smart, sharp folks. I hope people are willing to take that activism offline and make some positive change in the world.
Thank you, everyone, for your support over the past 8 1/2 years.
Paul
Now, some questions:
So what's going to happen from here?
Effective immediately, no new member registrations will be processed. (As there are a fair number of unprocessed registrations, this is essentially retroactive to early December, 2008.)
As I said at the outset, I'll still be publishing articles to the blog until April 1st. The frequency may pick up a bit. After that point the site will remain up until October 1, 2009, at which point it will go dark; this will allow the Forums to continue on - they've generally seen more activity than the blog itself in the past few months.
What about Big Fat Index and Big Fat Facts?
Both sites will also go offline on October 1, 2009.
What about my data?
I will destroy all personal data (databases) and backups that I have the ability to delete after the site shuts down. I will not sell the data at any price.
What about...
Feel free to ask in the comments below, and I'll do my best to answer.
Thanks again, everyone.
Chicago: Help Save a Plus-Size Business | CNN: Obama talked with Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General role
Posted by paul on January 6, 2009
Paul, this is terrible news for the fat community. I really hate to see BFB go. The work you put into this is considerable and was not wasted. I would like to thank you for all the hard work and years you put into BFB, you have made a difference.
This is very sad indeed as one who found this site while searching the cyberweb when she was having problems after having had been lap banded. It was due to this site that I got the courage to have my band permanently removed and to find there were others out there like me who felt it was wrong to feel so badly about myself due to my size. It was wrong that others treated me badly because of my size and that it was their problem and not mine. I am not a "blogger" and maybe one of the older people on the site, not that I'm elderly just not as hip in the cyberworld as most of you. There was a fear in me, I'm sure it was selfish of where I am to go to reinforce the positive feelings that I get here. What am I to do now that it will now longer be my beacon of hope and light. Anyway that's my issue but I want to thank you Paul for all you've done here as it was by chance perhaps that I found this site and it made a big difference in my life and for that I will always be grateful, take care and good luck to you in your future, moxie3
Thank you, Paul. This site has been an invaluable resource for me over the last 8 years.
When I started blogging 4 years ago BFB was one of the first blogs that I read. I have gained a lot of information since that time from this valuable source. I will be missed but the fight will continue.
Paul -- We will miss you and BFB terribly, but I absolutely understand... I hope that the Fat Rights Coalition activity will continue. A pointer to wherever the ongoing FRC info will be posted after April 1 would be appreciated.
Thank you, and we wish you every success.
--Andy Jo--
This wasn't altogether unexpected but still, I am sorry to hear this.
I would like to thank you so much for your amazing achievement as well as the work it must have taken to put it together. Well done Paul.
I wish you well with your career.
Awwwwuh! I am very sad to see BFB go, as I just got here myself 1-2 years or so ago.
This has been my safe haven where I can blog about my fatness, how others react to it and other issues and not get picked apart or judged. Well, I guess some good things must come to an end, and BFB is one of them. 
ETA: Thanks, Paul, for providing this blog for the FA community! It will be sorely missed!
Crap! I just get back from a long absence and then, THIS!!!!!
Understand Paul, it ain't you. How could it be? What you put into this goes above and beyond anything I've seen or ever expected to see on the interwebs or anyplace else. Sadly, I'm pretty sure we probably won't be seeing it again. But still, 3000 people? There must be SOMETHING we can put together to keep the light burning. I suppose my first question would be; will COFRA remain up and running?
As far as I'm concerned, BFB was, is, and will always be a gift. A generosity provided by One individual (that would be you, Paul) to an entire community. The Kid in my would love for that to go on forever. The Adult realizes that we're lucky to have gotten what we DID. 'Thank you' really isn't enough to say it.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you.
Then you win. - Mahatma Ghandi
This blog has been an amazing resource for me. I just want to say thank you for all the time and effort you've put into it. You will be missed.
Everyone, I sincerely appreciate your kind words. Thank you!
In regards to the Fat Rights Coalition: I don't have an official affiliation with the FRC but, naturally, I'm a bit biased towards them. Their website remains at fatrights.org..
Paul, I'm so sorry to hear this, but I can completely understand the decision. 8 years is a loooooong time in blogland. Thank you so much for everything you've done over the years -- so many of us would not be here without you.
Paul, thanks for everything you put in this blog. I will miss it terribly.
I hope we'll still come across each other in the fatosphere and wish you all the best.
When you gotta go, you gotta go, I guess – but I'm really sorry to hear this, Paul. BFB was the site that made me realise there was an actual FA movement out there. I'll be sad to see you go.
Since BFB was the first FA blog I ever read, and is what influenced me to start my own blog, I'm really sad to see it go. I sat down one week, right after I joined, and read every post and every comment on every post that had been written before I joined (and I've read everything since). I've learned a lot from my reading here, found some awesome bloggers that I follow, and gained new perspectives on self/esteem/acceptance/tolerance and so much more. This place will be very much missed (and I doubt we'll ever see another place like it).
So, Paul, thank you so much for creating this space, it's been a rare and wonderful treat.
WLS - Sorry, not my preferred way of dying. *glares at doctor recommending it*
Thanks for all the hard work, Paul. I'll miss this place. I don't follow any other FA blogs, but I am aware of some of them and check them out from time to time. Is there anywhere where members from here might be congregating for chat?
Did we SAY you could quit?? How dare you?
Ahem...just kidding. I of all people know it takes a lot of work to keep a blog going that you hardly see a dime for. And eight years? Close to nine? How many blogs of ANY kind have been around that long?
You have been an inspiration to us all. And a great point of connection. And a terrific writer. (You can guest at Fat Fu anytime, if you ever have the urge.)
Thank you for all your work, Paul. BFB was the place that finally convinced me to get away from some very unhealthy (for me) Internet communities and move toward a much saner online existence. Your efforts have been much appreciated.
Thanks so much for all your hard work, Paul. I've always been in awe of your wisdom and your perseverance. I think you've had a positive impact on a lot of lives through this blog and through your activism.
Thank you, Paul, for all your hard work over the years.
That is sad news, but I am glad you've been here and doing what you can. Hopefully someone else will pick up the torch from you.
Yes, I really hope so too!
Thanks for this place Paul and for encouraging people to blog and be active or just learn. I'm glad I found you 4 years and 19 weeks ago!
Not that I have a vote. But, failing a big fat screaming NO!, then I say: THANK YOOoooooouuu!
Please consider somehow safeguarding the domain name, bigfatblog.com, from our ill-wishers.
But mainly and foreverly...thank you, Paul, for the heart and hard work and hope!!!
Would you ever consider allowing the Fat Rights Coalition to take on BFB as a continuing blogging project?
I haven't been here that long, but thanks for providing a sane haven to go to!
Thanks for all your hard work over the years in pulling this blog together. It was quite a resource.
Whilst I fully understand your reasons for taking the site down, this is a sad day indeed.
BFB was the place where I first became confident in FA and started developing my views, with the help of a truly awesome community on the Forums. Whenever I came across a piece of fat-phobic or downright idiotic commentary in the media I knew that I could come here and share my disgust with like-minded folk in a rare space where intelligent discourse doesn't inevitably get swamped by a tidal wave of trollery. I think it's still one of the few truly inclusive places in the Fatosphere, a place where everyone who shares the aims of acceptance and rights for fat people can express their ideas and be seriously considered irrespective of their gender, political persuasion or level of education.
I would echo GiniLiz's query about whether BFB could continue under the stewardship of another organisation, if only to ensure access to the archives is maintained, but if not, I think Marilyn has a valid point about safeguarding the domain name (I for one can think of a couple of individuals / blogs who'd love to appropriate it for thoroughly inappropriate purposes).
Paul, as a relative latecomer to BFB I can only join the previous commenters in thanking you for all your hard work over the last few years and hoping this doesn't mark an end to your involvement in fat acceptance issues altogether.
"if you think fat people have no self-discipline, consider the fact that they haven’t killed you yet." - Miss Conduct, Boston Globe
Paul, at the risk of redundancy, thanks so much for doing all you've done for the cause. I'll miss the hell out of your voice (at least in this venue), but I absolutely get the need to make a change.
So, we're having a farewell party, right?
I'm sorry to see you go, but I can understand you've got to work for a living. It's ironic, I suspect that if you were running a weight-loss blog, you'd have more companies willing to advertise than you could shake a stick at. I agree with Marilyn and Richie, the url would be valuable for its "link equity" to some diet product scammer.
Aww, I'm also very sorry to hear that. As another person who's only been here for a year or so, I am suddenly sad that I didn't participate more.
I'm so sad. I don't know what else to say.
It was so nice to find a place where there were people like me. It was a haven from all the criticisms and judgements and scare tactics I've endured most of my fat life.
Thanks for all the work you put into this. I wish there was some way it could continue, even if on a smaller scale.
A couple of notes...
GiniLiz at the FRC (nee COFRA) did respond to my email for more info on their thoughts, so the dialogue is open. I'll keep everyone updated of course.
The BFB domains (for the blog, index, and facts) are mine through 2010 in any case.
I appreciate all of your kind words. As you can imagine, this wasn't an easy decision - so thank you.
I really hate to see this site go Paul. If there is not any additional blog posts, I hope something can be worked out so that BFB is at last available in an archival format so late-comers (such as myself) will be able to refer to the numerous resources it offers. I would definitely be willing to donate for hosting in order to get this wealth of information alive and available.
Wow--I can't believe the site is going away! I don't think it is possible to estimate the value of BFB to so many of us. Paul, I really appreciate everything you have done and everything the members have contributed. Even though I just lurked, I got so much out of the posts and the members' discussions of FA topics. Best of luck to you and your family.
Oh man. Leave my computer alone for vacation, and see what happens?
I can only echo what everyone else has said: I was so delighted to find this blog.
I've participated in and lurked on some really valuable conversations.
I really appreciate everything you have done here, and it has lasted a good long run.
Great luck to you in your future endeavors!
And thank you so much.
(Please ignore muffled sobs.)
(T_T)
We will miss BFB.
Oh, no! Say it ain't so! What will happen to the domain name? Will some fat-hating group buy it?
I am sorry this is happening, but I understand your other obligations. It's tough to make it with a fat-positive site; just ask Sandy at Junkfood Science. Can we BFBers do anything?
Man, now i'm wishing I'd found this place sooner...
For the short time I've been here, BFB has been a wonderful little niche amongst all the craziness on the internet. I truly hate to see it disappear. I hope your current/future endeavors prove to be fruitful as your time here with this community, Paul... and Thank You.
~Amy
I'm so sad to hear about this- but I so appreciate the tireless work you've put in. Thank you so much for posting my videos so long ago and really kicking things off for me- I can't express how huge this blog was in that.
Thank you.
Ah, Paul. I've been away having some emergency surgery, and I return to this. Sigh.
Thank you, friend.
You have done so much for fat rights and for me personally. You have played a central roll in helping me build my voice, such as it is, in FA/SA, for helping me sort my views and hone my positions, for helping me think and rethink and rethink again. I will miss you terribly.
Godspeed.
Hey Paul-
As sorry as I am to see BFB go, I completely understand your decision. Thanks for all the incredible work that you are doing and have done, for the terrific commentary (I always love to read what you have to say), and for making me (am I right about this?) your very first interview on BFB. What an honor and a pleasure it has been.
If you're ever in SF, give a shout. I'll meet you for dinner anytime.
All the best-
Jennifer Portnick
I totally understand your decision and thank you for everything you have done for us. BFB was always my favorite SA site, the one I felt most aligned and comfortable in.
As a sociologist interested in this issue, it occurs to me that an invaluable resource for information is also being lost. Is there any way it can remain up, but just closed to new comments? Or is there any way it can be transferred to someone elses site?
BFF is also an excellent source for information at a glance. Sometimes when I make comments on all sorts of boards and they ask for my URL, I give them big fat facts. Is one of the authors interested in hosing it at their site? Is that possible? Would a financial contribution help it stay up?
Again, I completely understand Paul's decision. But so much of value is being lost. What possibilities are there that other interest parties could at least transfer some of the info?
Blessings!!!!
"Fat can be beautiful. Intolerance is ALWAYS ugly!"
I agree! I have pointed many a questioning friend/acquaintance to BFB and especially BFFacts as a quick reference that sums everything up so nicely! It would be wonderful if the resources you've established could be somehow kept online.
And I'll add my voice to the chorus of Thank you Paul, for everything you've done here and good luck with whatever is next for you!
Good Luck to You Paul and Thank Your for having provided such a remarkable place.
It was so much more than a blog. It was a place of companionship and resources and there were soo many wondeful posts and stories filed with life experiences and information that truly is invaluable!
BigFatBlog is the place I always go to first--the design and user-friendliness of it made it best above all others as far as I was concerned. And while as you say, there are many new sites--this was the one I always came to... home base.
And with the non-stop hype of anti-fat rhetoric with the pseudo "obesity epidemic" that seems to headline everywhere... it'll be a sadly missed resource and place for knowlege and information. I'll be very sad the day it goes and I know I won't be alone when that happens.
But as is the way of it---things change. And I wish you all the very best!! and THANK YOU!!!
I'm not going to lie; I'm disappointed by the news. I haven't been a member very long, but this was a safe place for me.
I wish you all the best in your personal and professional life, Paul.
Thanks for all your hard work on the site. I'll be sorry to see it go. I tend to read much more than I comment, so like some others, I'm curious about if there are any plans to keep an archive of the articles here. Also are there any plans to relocate the forum to keep that going in some form?
Where will people go after the domain shuts down? I know that there are several other blogs in the fatosphere, but I was just wondering if there were any suggestions. Is there a consensus? Are people shopping around?
I go off for a bit and find this.
Thanks for the site and your work on it! And I thank everyone else too who has contributed.
Any news on the talks with FRC or on continuity? (Accessible archives would be good, a continued community existence even better. If I may ask here, I'd like to see as much as possible.)
Keep us updated, and thanks in advance. And whatever the case, have a good life--not that I expect never to see you again online anywhere, but have a good life, heh.
Love Life and Live Life. Don't Waste Time Hating YourSelf.
Paul -
I'll miss you!
Thank you for all your hard work on this blog for so many years.
(Procrastinate? Me?)