On June 18th, this article was posted on a website called The Richest, explaining “15 Thoughts Every Guy Has When Dating a Bigger Woman.” As soon as I saw the title, I knew I was going to be infuriated, but I couldn’t stop myself from clicking on the link.

Being a person who has struggled with their body image their whole life, reading the things this man, Brian Whitney, had to say made me absolutely sick to my stomach. I know that misogyny and fat-phobia are alive and thriving, and this was obviously a measly attempt at an old, irrelevant author to try to maintain pertinence, but it’s so hard not to take these words to heart.

I shared this article among my friends, who have also been victimized by our society for their body type, and after hearing how this article made them feel, I got angrier. I refuse to let this article blow over.

These 15 thoughts come directly from the article. I do not agree with them in their context, but I am choosing to reclaim them and use them to say what should’ve been said all along.

15. Your Date Is Tough

Hell yeah, girls are tough! Have you noticed the stuff we have to go through on a daily basis? Society has thickened our skin, but also taught us not to take any crap.

14. My Girl Can Cook

Maybe she can, maybe she can't. Her cooking skills don't have any impact on who she is as a person! One thing you can be sure of, though, is that you won't be going to bed hungry.

13. Calorie Counting Is Out

Always support your partner in the journey that is self acceptance, and if they choose to count calories as a way to stay on top of their health, then that's OK! If they opt against it, that's okay too. Your partners health is the only thing that matters, not their size.

12. It Is Good For His Confidence

If being around a strong, confident woman teaches you how to take pride in yourself as well, then that's great! But, don't think for a second that we're going to let you walk all over us to make yourself feel better (see #15.)

11. He Might Like Them Better

Well sure, you might like Leslie, a girl who happens to be plus size, better than you like Jennifer, a girl who happens to be a little slimmer, but their body types have nothing to do with who they are! Lets remember that fetishizing body types is just as bad as body shaming, everyone.

10. They Are Easy To Talk To

Depending on their personality, yes! If you're dating someone, I'd hope you'd feel comfortable to openly talk to them about the things you want. If you don't communicate with your partner, how is the relationship supposed to work?

9. Picking A Place To Eat Is Easy

Of course, when you're with a person you adore, anywhere is great as long as you're with them! At the end of the day, I could care less about where we went or what we ate, if I'm with a person I genuinely enjoy, none of that matters!

8. The Cuddling Is The Best

I think that intimate moments with someone you have a connection with are something to be cherished. Don't take the time you spend with your partner for granted. Enjoy moments spent doing little things like this, because they're the ones you miss when you're away from each other.

7. She Is A Built-In Workout Buddy

The great thing about having a supportive partner is that you can count on them to encourage you in anything you do! Whether or not your partner wants to workout with you doesn't matter, it's the support they'll give when you come home from a grueling night. You and your partner are a team, and they will always be in your corner cheering you on.

6. There Is Less Pressure On How You Look

When I'm comfortable around people, I definitely feel less pressure to be "done up," or present a certain way. I think that when you're in a relationship and you both feel completely comfortable with each other, looks become less and less important because you know who they are on the inside.

5. Jealously Is A Thing Of The Past

In a healthy relationship, jealously has no place! Everyone in the relationship should be open and trusting to the other individual(s). If not, how will you function on a daily basis if you're connstantly worried about who your partner is talking to? Trust their judgement, and let them decide what's best for them.

4. They Tend To Be Funny

People with a sense of humor are my favorite kind to be around, but not all of them are plus size! That's like the stereotypes against blondes saying they're less intelligent than people with other hair colors. Not only is it insanely inaccurate, it's also very mean.

3. They Tend To Be Eager To Please

If one thing is for certain about girls in general, it's that they aren't here for your use or personal gain! If you're in a relationship, your partner may do certain things they know you like, but it's by their choice, not obligation.

2. You Can Take Her Anywhere

Hopefully you'd feel this way about anyone you love! After all, if you can't take your partner out to your favorite places, what fun is it to go without them? Plus, spending time with the ones you love makes everything better.

1. They Are Easy To Ask Out

I wish that I could agree that asking people out is easy, but the fact of the matter is - it can be scary opening yourself up at first! But, hopefully, your want to ask them out outweighs your anxiousness of the situation!

Plus size girls, I want you to know that we are more than what these people label us as. We are more than their sideways glances, their backhanded compliments, and their hushed judgments. We are people.

Your body is no one else's business. If your partner, your parent, your friend, or anyone else has anything negative to say about your body type, the one as uncontrollable as the color of your eyes or hair, just tell them that you have nothing to be ashamed of.

You are beautiful, truly, inside and out, and I love each and every one of you. Remember that you are strong, capable, and absolutely amazing, and don't forfeit your happiness for anyone else's discomfort. Love the skin you're in.