Medal-making is underway

Fattylympics medal-making is happening! These are a tiny fraction of the beautiful medals that people have made. Thanks to everyone at The Weigh In, Simon, Allyson and Deirdre.

There's still time to make some of your own. Bring them on the day or post them to us (email beefergrrl@hotmail.com for an address). Here's some more information about what we're looking for.

Everyone feels sportier when they're wearing a Fattylympics headband

We went to Berlin to take part in a European workshop about fat activism and to show off at Rebel Bellies last week. During the trip we were beyond delighted to pick up a consignment of Fattylympics towelling headbands organised by Tünya Ö, and sported here at Kotbusser Tor by her, Kori K, me and Kay.

The people of Kreuzberg have seen and done it all, but the sight of a little group of Fattylympics queers parading through the streets in headbands turned a few heads, I can assure you. The four of us agreed that wearing a headband makes you feel very sporty indeed, it's a satisfying feeling to have your head slightly compressed by the finest elasticated towelling on earth. We hope you agree that they look extremely dapper.

We will have a bunch of Fattylympics headbands to give out on the day, just so you know. When they're gone, they're gone.

Make Fattylympics Medals!

The Fattylympics embraces a philosophy of non-competiveness. Everybody who takes part or comes to the event will win something, there won't be any losers because, frankly, pretty much every one of us already feels like a loser in the face of the You Know Whats, whether it's through gentrification, the glorification of some bodies over others, nationalism, or simply having every useful amenity in your neighbourhood transformed into an estate agent. We know that hosting a non-competitive sporting event for fat-friendly losers is heresy and we are quite happy about that.

In order to facilitate this non-competitive ethic, the Fattylympics needs a ton of medals for everyone. We will also be awarding extra-fancy Medals of Merit to people who make a special effort in some way. This could include making tea for people, wearing an extravagant outfit on the day, taking part in an event with extra gusto, supporting the Fattylympics in some amazing way, it could be anything. Fattylympians are also encouraged to cheat and bribe their way to a Medal of Merit, just like the real You Know Whats.

This is where you come in. PLEASE MAKE SOME FATTYLYMPICS MEDALS! LOADS OF THEM!

It does not matter if you've never made anything in your life before, or if you can't draw or have no skills at crafting, we like this kind of stuff.

Here's the brief:

• Medals can be made of any material but must be wearable so therefore not too heavy or dangerous (no sharp edges, for example)
• They must say 'Fattylympics' on them somewhere
• They must not depict anything likely to offend and should be designed in line with Fattylympics values. Non-competitive themes are especially welcome
• Medals can be pinned or worn around the neck. If the latter, make sure the ribbon is long enough for even the fattest neck.
• Make as few or as many as you like
• Anyone anywhere can make medals, you don't have to attend the Fattylympics. Feel free to invite your friends round to have a medal-making party.

When you have made medals, please email beefergrrl@hotmail.com for details of how to get them to us.

THANK YOU!

Have a free or cheap stall at the Fattylympics!

Would you like to have a stall at the Fattylympics? We have a lovely accessible indoor space with room for people to set up stalls and activities, and windows that look out onto the rest of the Fattylympics.

Stalls are available for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. We're looking for things that fit with Fattylympics values, maybe you'd like to sell plus-sized clothes or organise a clothes swap, perhaps you have art and crafts for sale, or would like to use an indoor table for an activity in the afternoon. Perhaps you have an organisation, or want to start one. Maybe you make, sell or distribute zines and books. Maybe you have things to eat and drink that you'd like to sell or give away.

Use the volunteer form to get in touch and propose a stall. Non-commercial stalls are FREE whilst commercial stalls cost only £10 per table. The money raised will go to future fat activities and events.

Small print: all stallholders will be expected to take responsibility for their own stall. It might be possible that a Fattylympics volunteer can cover you for a short break but this is not guaranteed. All stallholders are responsible for their own set up and take down. The venue is open to stall holders one hour before the public are admitted and one hour at the end of the day.

Propose a Fattylympics Event!

There will be four participatory competition events at the Fattylympics. One of these events is spoken for, but there are three remaining slots that need filling.

We are inviting proposals from people who want to create Fattylympics events for these three slots. We're looking for events that are:

• Hilarious
• Visually appealing, eye-popping
• Make you feel glad to be alive
• Congruent with Fattylympics themes of DIY, satire, making things together, community, imperfection
• Accessible to people with all kinds of bodies and abilities
• Not insulting to anyone, least of all fat people (parody is encouraged, but ask us and other people if you're worried about what is and what isn't insulting)

Please be aware that the Fattylympics values non-competitiveness. In devising your event please avoid creating winners at the expense of losers, consider events where everyone wins, and be imaginative in the ways that special awards for particular kinds of merit can be given.

What's in it for you?

• Amazing, fun-filled, beautiful times with incredible people
• A chance to create something really great at a unique and never-to-be-repeated event
• A lovely afternoon messing around in the park
• An opportunity to make something meaningful in the face of the You Know Whats

You will need to be able to attend the Fattylympics on 7 July 2012 in East London in order to set up and manage your event. There are three spaces available: a hard surface, a playing field behind the venue, and a grassy area out the front of the venue. These are public spaces, so please bear in mind that there can be no amplification beyond a megaphone and a whistle; that any mess you make must be easily tidied and won't get us into trouble with the park management. Please refrain from using the language, trademarks and symbols of the You Know Whats. Each event has been allocated 30 minutes, with ten minutes at the beginning to set-up.

You are welcome to promote your own stuff in the event, but you should not treat it as an advertisement. There will be general Fattylympics banners and decorations around the place, but if you need special equipment, you will have to make/acquire it yourself. There may be help available for transporting things to the venue. We cannot pay you but we have a very small amount of money to cover some costs. We will supply judges and stewards.

Proposing an event
ANYONE CAN PROPOSE AN EVENT! Group proposals are also welcome and encouraged. Your proposal should be no longer than two pages and should include:

• Your name
• Contact details
• An explanation of what you'd like to do and in what space you'd like to do it (hard surface, playing field, grassy area)
• Pictures, diagrams, links etc
• A list of things you'll need help with
• Potential costs
• A plan for encouraging people to participate

The proposal does not have to be perfect, just send in some ideas and we can work something out.

Please send this information to beefergrrl@hotmail.com

Deadline for proposals is Friday 30 March 2012

THANK YOU!