The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the civil rights, dignity, self-esteem, and acceptance of persons of all sizes of large. They do this through activities, education, activism, advocacy, literature, and public speaking.

The national headquarters is located in Sacramento, California, with local chapters throughout the United States. National provides guidance and service to its chapters, and represents the chapters at the national level when dealing with insurance that affect us all, such as the diet industry, medical findings, governmental bodies (ex: social security), health insurance, the media, particularly radio and television, and may others when these issues relate to discrimination against fat persons. They also work to increase awareness of society in general of the needs of large sized persons in areas such as medical care, seating, public and private transportation, clothing, etc.

Every year, National holds a weeklong convention, which provides workshops, clothing vendors, and social activities, like private pool parties and dances that cater to large sized persons. (Local chapters on a much smaller scale throughout the year hold Events like these) These events help provide a safe, accepting environment for fat persons and the people who admire them in which to meet and socialize.

They have sub-groups of persons interested in a particular topic, known as SIGS (special interest groups) such as Super-Sized Women, Lavender SIG (gay/lesbian, diabetic SIG, etc. They have a pen-pal program and personal ads/dating service. National publishes a quarterly newsletter, and has a variety of pamphlets and booklets available to members. Their dues are different and separate fro the local chapter’s dues.

In order to hold and office in the local chapter and have voting privileges, a person must also be a current member of National. However, it is not required that a person be a National member in order to join the local chapter, but we highly encourage it as the way to support the national organization that advocated for all of us.

The Northern Ohio NAAFA Chapter holds its business meeting from 3-5pm on the first Saturday of every month at:

The Brooklyn Branch of the
Cuyahoga County Public Library
4480 Ridge Road
Brooklyn, OH 44144-3353
216-398-4600

Guests are welcome!

Meeting Directions:

via I-71 southbound
Take I-71 south to West 130th 
Turn left on W130 and left into I-71 north ramp 
Take Bellaire Road Exit 
Turn left on Bellaire and right on Memphis Avenue 
Turn right (south) on Ridge Road 
Turn right into the Library parking lot

via I-71 northbound
Take I-71 north to I-480 east to the Ridge Road Exit 
Turn left (north) on Ridge Road 
Turn left into the Library parking lot

via I-480
Take I-480 to the Ridge Road Exit 
Turn (north) on Ridge Road 
Turn left into the library parking lot