Black. Fat. Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in Media and Learning to Love Yourself - Hardcover

by Jonathan P. Higgins (Author), Latrice Royale (Foreword by)

A celebration of (and how to find your own) queer intersectional identity through the lens of media

In Black. Fat. Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices (in Media) and Learning to Love Yourself, educator and media critic Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins--aka Doctor Jon Paul--delivers an honest and extraordinary new take on how the author, and other Black Fat Femmes like them, have come to find and understand their identity.

You'll learn about how standing at the intersection of multiple identities, communities, and causes shapes people and how they see the world. You'll also discover how public figures like Andre Leon Talley and Latrice Royale have helped people learn who they are and what is possible in life.

Inside the book:

• An examination of the importance of real representation in the media for marginalized people
• Discussions of the pioneers who fought so hard to be authentically who they are, both onscreen and off
• Explorations of how and why Black Fat Femme people have been left out and erased from LGBTQ+ conversations

Perfect for anyone with an interest in unique voices and truly singular perspectives, Black. Fat. Femme. is a one-of-a-kind book that will help you see the world with entirely new eyes.

Front Jacket

In Black. Fat. Femme.: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in Media and Learning to Love Yourself, podcaster, recognized speaker, media critic, educator, and professor, Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins delivers an inspiring and honest discussion of how the author, and other Black Fat Femmes like them, have come to find and understand their identity.

You'll discover how being at the intersection of multiple identities, causes, and communities shapes people and how they see the world. You'll also learn about how public figures like Andr? Leon Talley, Miss J Alexander, and Miss Lawrence have helped people figure out more about who they are and what is possible in their own lives.

Black. Fat. Femme. explores the importance of substantial representation in the media for marginalized people and discusses the pioneers who fought so hard to be authentically who they were, both onscreen and off. The book also explains how and why Black Fat Femme people have been left out and erased from LGBTQ+ media and conversations.

From the author's own coming-out story and the role that media played in it to the concepts of chosen family, femininity, and the meaning of words like "queen," the book examines subjects that are important, not just to Black, fat, and feminine cis-men, but to people everywhere.

For anyone interested in understanding and supporting intersectional identities, Black. Fat. Femme. is a one-of-a-kind book that will show you the world through entirely new eyes.

Back Jacket

Praise for Black. Fat. Femme.

"With their unique purview, Jon centers the visibility, intersectional identities, and rich voices of the Queer Black community in media. A must-read for anyone and everyone."
--Gabrielle Union, Actress, activist, and author

"Dr. Jon Paul has written a heartfelt manifesto for every person who has never believed they are valuable, worthy, or courageous. It is impossible to read and not be moved to love yourself more."
--Steven Canals, Emmy-nominated writer, director, and producer

"This book speaks so honestly about the continuously silenced Black, queer, American experience, and the life journey it takes to discover one's true self in a world determined to stop them at all costs."
--Jessica Marie Garcia, Actress, On My Block, writer and producer

"Black. Fat. Femme. is the perfect blend of education, hilarity, and stories from the shady cousin that everyone deserves."
--Franchesca Ramsey, Creator and host of MTV's Decoded, and author of Well, That Escalated Quickly

"Joining the cultural archive at a pivotal moment, Black. Fat. Femme. offers another possibility. In extending the visibility discourse, it defiantly and lovingly takes up space while encouraging others to do the same."
--Tre'vell Anderson, MA, Journalist, social curator, world changer

Author Biography

Jonathan P. Higgins, Ed.D., is an award-winning educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, and media critic who focuses on the intersections of identity, gender, and race in entertainment. They are the creator, executive producer, and host of the Black Fat Femme Podcast and have worked on inclusion projects with Fox, the NFL, Apple, Disney, Instagram, BuzzFeed, and GLAAD.