“You're Just Too Much”

Abstract

Both higher-weight individuals and sexual and gender minorities report experiences of stigma in healthcare and everyday life. However, little is known about how these stigmas may interact in individuals who identify as both a sexual and/or gender minority and as currently or formerly higher weight. This study reports on the findings of a micro-ethnography, which incorporated two interviews at 2-to-3-month intervals and participant observation, exploring the intersectional experiences of higher-weight sexual and gender minority adults (≥ 18 years of age) (n=12) in a Canadian Atlantic province. Given reported heteronormativity and weight-stigmatizing attitudes within dietetics, findings are highly relevant to dietitians. Participants described weight-centrism, microaggressions, and prejudice in healthcare, revealed a strong relational sense of identity and self, and recognized the need for advocacy. Ultimately, a radical ontological shift in dietetics may be necessary to eliminate the sense of exclusion that diverse, higher-weight individuals experience in healthcare settings.