My name is Ilse Fierro. I am a self-identified Mexican American, bisexual woman (she/her). I believe that black lives matter, that feminism must be intersectional, and that “fat” people deserve respect. I have been overweight for most of my life, and have undergone two bariatric surgeries. For me, my health is a minute-by-minute work in progress.

My main focus is how my size has affected the ways in which society views and treats me. As part of the “In Our Own Skin” collection, I will be writing about body image in relation to societal and cultural views, sharing my point of view on how everything from the patriarchy to the medical professions all connect with the idea of a “healthy” body image. When I am not working, I am probably binge watching Netflix with my wife, or obsessively reading health blogs and books.