Girth & Mirth (G&M) is an organized network of social groups for a gay subculture based on positive attitudes towards larger bodies and fat fetishism. First formed in San Francisco in 1976, early chapters were established in Boston and New York.[1] Girth & Mirth gatherings were predecessors of the Convergence events, launched by the national Affiliated Bigmen's Club (ABC) in 1986, and collaboratively organized with various G&M chapters in subsequent years.[2] The popularity of Girth & Mirth clubs led to a broader chubby culture that intersected with bear groups in the early 1990s.[3][4] Over time Girth & Mirth chapters overlapped with, or became absorbed by, ABC, which itself was renamed the Big Gay Men's Organization (BGMO) in 2013.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Suresha, Ron. "The Birth of Girth and Mirth: an interview with Reed Wilgoren". Archived from the original on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-04-08.
- ^ Textor, Alex (1999). "Organization, Specialization, and Desires in the Big Men's Movement: Preliminary Research in the Study of Subculture-Formation". International Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies. 4 (3): 217–239. doi:10.1023/A:1023223013536. hdl:2027.42/44662. S2CID 55158491.
- ^ Suresha, Ron Jackson (2009). Bears on Bears: Interviews & Discussions. Revised Edition. ISBN 9781590212448
- ^ Whitesel, Jason (2014). Fat Gay Men: Girth, Mirth, and the Politics of Stigma. NYU Press. ISBN 9780814724125
- ^ What is Girth & Mirth aka a Big Men’s Club?[permanent dead link]
External links
edit- Local Girth & Mirth clubs Archived 2016-08-11 at the Wayback Machine (BGMO affiliates)