Back in 2007, the lovely Stef-Anie and I came up with the idea for the Chunky Dunk. The idea came about one summer when we were trying to think of unique ways to fundraise for FatGirl Speaks, as well as to provide another positive community gathering point to empower and uplift fat folks and our friends and allies. Realizing that putting on a swimsuit in public can be daunting, we sought to create a focused, empowered, everyBody-positive space for folks to enjoy the water and each other, free from shame and worry. We rented a public pool and invited everyone to join us for a group swim. The event was so successful that it’s been running seasonally for the last 3 years.

In 2009, I passed the organizing reigns to the lovely and capable Ashley, who has taken it even further. This year, Ashley partnered with Portland’s Transgendered/GenderQueer community and organized a joint Chunky Dunk for fat folks, trans folks and all of our friends and allies.

The other day, I went to a local hot tub with a friend and was enjoying the comfort of being naked in the private, open-air room and as we were sitting there, the idea sprung up to have a Chunky Dunk in the wintertime at the hot tubs! A few dozen phone calls later, I’d rented out the entire hot tub venue for a private event, lovingly deemed the “Chunky Dunk Chub Tub!” (thanks to Sossity for the Chub Tub name!)

The event will take place on Sunday, January 23rd. I announced this a few days ago and already over half the tickets are sold. If you’re in Portland, Oregon and wish to join us, please get your tickets quickly. You can buy them here!