A fat pride influencer, Jaelynn Chaney, known as Jae Bae, has made a bold claim that she was sent by God to advocate for the rights of plus-size individuals. Chaney, who has been vocal about the need for regular travelers to subsidize free extra seats for plus-size fliers, recently uploaded a video to her TikTok channel, where she lip-synced to a song while altering the lyrics in the captions to emphasize her message of “equal rights” for fat people.
In the video, Chaney declared, “Yeah, God sent this fat b**** to piss the world off and make change.” She addressed her followers, acknowledging the backlash she receives from those she referred to as “fatphobes” in the comments. Chaney explained that speaking out against a society that demonizes fatness is an act of defiance. “In a world where thinness is glorified and fatness demonized, speaking out becomes an act of defiance,” she wrote.
Chaney, who has 135,000 followers on TikTok, emphasized that when thin individuals voice discomfort over small airplane seats or societal standards, they are met with empathy and action. However, as a plus-size person, she faces hostility and is often blamed for her size when raising similar concerns. “Instead of addressing the systemic issues, I’m met with hostility, blamed for my size, and told to ‘fix’ myself if I want change. It’s a glaring example of the unequal treatment faced by fat people in society,” she said.
Despite the criticism, Chaney is determined to continue her fight against fat-phobia. She promised not to back down and to persist in provoking and demanding change until society recognizes the inherent value and rights of all bodies, regardless of size. “I won’t let the discomfort of others silence me or hinder progress,” she asserted.
Earlier this month, Chaney announced a personal milestone: she flew without her oxygen tank for the first time in four years. This achievement was significant for her as she had previously required supplemental oxygen to breathe comfortably in the pressurized plane cabin. In her video, she demonstrated how much her seatbelt needed to be extended and expressed her thoughts on potential medical emergencies during flights.
Chaney’s video showcased her being wheeled down an airport gate and onto the plane, eventually showing her seated with a slackened seatbelt. She shared her journey of requiring supplemental oxygen since 2019 after a hospital stay where she was suspected of having a stroke. It was later diagnosed as pulmonary hypertension, necessitating oxygen therapy ever since, which had impacted her travel experiences.
Throughout the video, Chaney emphasized that travel should be accessible to everyone, regardless of size. She vowed to continue advocating for fairness and dignity for all individuals and challenged societal norms that marginalize plus-size people. “Yes, I’ll continue to provoke, challenge, and demand change. And if that makes the world uncomfortable, so be it. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about me—it’s about ensuring fairness and dignity for all,” she concluded.
Chaney’s message resonates with many of her followers, who appreciate her advocacy and courage to speak out against fat-phobia and push for equal rights for plus-size individuals in all aspects of life, including travel.