Black. Fat. Femme

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.

Foreword ix

Introduction: Black, Fat, and Different 1

1 Always Too Much 15

2 The Chiffon Chronicles 35

3 The Making of a Queen 59

4 The Masc You Live In 81

5 Five Gs, Please! 101

6 To Be Loved 121

7 Becoming That B*tch 139

8 Redefining Authenticity 159

9 Remaining Black, Fat, and Visibly Queer 179

10 Yes, Black. Yes, Fat. Yes, Femme. 197

Acknowledgments 207

About the Author 213

Index 215

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.

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 André 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.

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

“Black Fat Femme Podcast host Higgins debuts with an earnest account of how they came to embrace their identity as a ‘Black, fat, queer, feminine, nonbinary man . . . they offer an emotionally honest discussion of the challenges of straddling diverse and sometimes competing identities. Higgins’s fans will be inspired.”
—Publishers Weekly

“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

“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 & producer

“Black. Fat. Femme. is the perfect blend of education, hilarity, and stories from the shady cousin that everyone deserves. After reading and sharing their work over the years, I look forward to others being able to devour what I feel is an insightful and important book!”
—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

“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

“Jon is a leading voice of our generation. Their ability to bring communities that sit at various intersections together, rooted in dignity, humanity, and respect, is what we all need now more than ever. Black. Fat. Femme. is a love letter to humanity.”
—Minda Harts, author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table

“Dr. Jon Paul is one of my favorite thinkers and creators. I can say without hesitation that this book is going to change the way people see themselves and each other. For all the talk of inclusion and diversity, this book is a step in the right direction of allowing people to not only feel seen but heard, and for their stories to be handled with the care, love, and attention they deserve.”
—Keah Brown, creator of #DisabledandCute, author of The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me

“Dr. Jon Paul is my hero. Their wit, wisdom, clarity, and sartorial elegance inspire me every day. This book is sorely needed, not just because Jon is a brilliant Sibylline voice on this urgent topic, but because this book will honor the humanity of all Black fat femmes.”
—Jeffrey Marsh, author of How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life

“If you’re not following Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins, you’re missing out on one of the sharpest, wittiest, and most unapologetically Black, queer, and femme voices in media today . . . Dr. Higgins has made it their mission to uplift the voices that mainstream culture often ignores. But don’t mistake their work for a never-ending sermon on oppression: Jonathan is here to crack jokes, spill tea, and remind us all that Black queer joy is just as revolutionary as resistance.”
—OUT Magazine

“Part memoir, part examination of queer media, and part self-help . . . The book explores the transformative role queer media and identity have played in Higgins’ life, and the ‘magic’ of being ‘Black, fat and femme.’”
—Los Angeles Daily News

“It finds the author getting honest about embracing their intersectional identity, and providing insight so that others can do the same, while also exploring the pioneers who paved the way, like Andre Leon Talley, Ms. J, and drag superstar Latrice Royale (who provides a lovely foreword, by the way).”
—Queerty