This article was developed in collaboration with Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and is part of Interac Pride Season initiatives where we celebrate, recognize, and bring visibility to queer small businesses from across Canada.
From a challenging upbringing in the UK to becoming a positive voice in size inclusion, Vinny Welsby’s journey exemplifies resilience, transformation, and advocacy. Through their business, Weight Inclusive Consulting, Vinny has made significant strides in creating a more inclusive world for people of all body sizes, particularly within the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada and beyond.
From Overcoming Personal Struggles to Building Fierce Fatty
By the age of 17, Vinny encountered poverty and houselessness. Amidst societal pressures and personal struggles, they believed that achieving a smaller body size would bring them happiness and success. However, Vinny quickly realized that being thinner did not lead to a more fulfilling life.
A dramatic shift in perspective occurred when a blog conveying the message “it’s okay to be fat” was discovered. This revelation led Vinny to embrace their body and sparked the inspiration to spread this message of self-acceptance, culminating in the creation of Weight Inclusive Consulting, a consulting business that educates individuals and businesses on creating more inclusive environments for people of all sizes. Weight Inclusive Consulting goes beyond surface-level consulting by providing clients with live trainings, masterclasses, 1:1 coaching, and webinars, all designed to help unlearn weight bias and foster self-love.
Embracing Community and Pride
Vinny Welsby is actively involved with the Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ community, particularly through the CGLCC, which connects them with other queer businesses across the country. In Vancouver, Vinny is part of a local fat queer community that provides mutual support. They are also involved with QMUNITY an organization supporting the queer community in Vancouver, which provided Vinny with crucial therapy when they needed it most. Now, Vinny gives back by offering weight-inclusive consulting services.
“Pride is everything to my business because the opposite of Pride is shame, which is something I lived with most of my life due to my body,” Vinny explains. Embracing identity, including their gender, queerness, and body size, has been a transformative journey. Vinny emphasizes the importance of being loud and proud, countering the shame that has historically silenced the queer community.
Overcoming Challenges While Staying True to Values
Running Weight Inclusive Consulting presents its own set of challenges. Vinny, who is neurodivergent, finds traditional 9-to-5 work structures limiting but thrives on the flexibility of being their own boss. This autonomy allows Vinny to adapt their work environment to suit personal needs while advancing their mission.
One major challenge is the lack of legal protections for body size in Canada. Since being in a larger body isn’t a protected category, discrimination based on body size remains legally permissible. This gap in protection underscores the urgency of Weight Inclusive Consulting’s mission. Vinny’s core values: authenticity, bravery, curiosity, and diversity, are crucial in navigating these obstacles.
To Vinny, authenticity means standing firm in identity despite societal pressures. Bravery is essential in confronting backlash and hate, motivating the drive to push forward. Curiosity fuels a dedication to understanding diverse experiences, ensuring Weight Inclusive Consulting remains inclusive. While diversity is a cornerstone, Vinny is committed to ensuring representation in panels, speaking engagements, and other opportunities they participate in.
Leveraging Interac Payment Solutions
Vinny Welsby utilizes Interac payment solutions to streamline business operations. They appreciate how Interac e-Transfer is a low-cost, safe, and secure payments method for their clients. “On other payment processing platforms, I pay a noticeable amount for using the service, which makes me think I need to encourage my Canadian clients to use Interac e-Transfer to send me funds,” Vinny notes. Additionally, they use Interac to pay Canadian contractors seamlessly, further integrating these solutions into their business.
Envisioning a Future of Inclusive Equity
Vinny envisions a future where being fat is a fundamental part of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community regarding anti-fat bias, they believe that integrating body size into DEI efforts will benefit everyone. “The more we embrace those who deviate from societal norms, the better it is for all of us,” Vinny asserts.
Their dedication to fighting weight bias and fostering inclusivity extends well beyond their business. Vinny emphasizes that acknowledging diverse body types is crucial for supporting marginalized groups. “This movement cannot be driven by whiteness, thinness, or heteronormativity; it must center the most marginalized voices,” they say.
Central to Vinny’s message is the belief in inherent worth. “You are worthy – you always were, and always will be,” they affirm, stressing that value is intrinsic and not tied to appearance or achievements. Through Weight Inclusive Consulting, Vinny Welsby not only challenges societal norms but also promotes community solidarity and advocates for a more inclusive world, deeply impacting both the 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond.
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