This is a site devoted to larger women and men, and those who adore them. Sorry, GLBTs and polys, this site only offers two gender choices, does heterosexual matches only, and no married people are allowed.
BBW stands for "Big Beautiful Woman," and is a new-ish term for women who are zaftig, voluptuous, curvaceous, chubby, plentiful, or even (for those who are reclaiming the term) "fat." I, at a size 16, qualify as a BBW myself, though most of the ladies I viewed here had at least 50 lbs. on me.
I'm glad there's a site like this, but I'm angry that it's necessary. There's no special dating site for slim people. Why? Because everyone's expected to be slim. The fact that the average American woman is a size 14 is immaterial. Grr! I don't think one is defined as a BHM (Big Handsome Man) unless he's pretty much super-sized. Yes, there's a double-standard there... men are allowed to carry a few extra pounds; for women, it's a crime which means automatic marginalization. Anyway, back to the review.
Non-paying members can create a profile with multiple photos, browse ads for free, have matches emailed to them, read message boards, and send/receive "smiles" and e-cards. I was pleased to find a “Pagan/Wiccan/Umbanda” option in the religions list (I don’t know what the heck Umbanda is, but whatever), and you get to write in your profession instead of having to choose one from a list. Now, one of the options in the profile is for body type. I much prefer to state height and weight in numbers, but if you’re going to use types, then the phrase “I should maybe lose a few” is too judgmental for this size-positive site.
Premium members can post on message boards, participate in chatrooms, use instant messenger, and both send and receive "Mingle Mail." The chatroom system is excellent, except for the way it kept freezing up every so often. I don't know if the fault is with them or with my own machine.
I spoke with A.K., a 39-year-old hetero woman from NJ, who has been a member for nine months. She says, "It's a clean, safe environment for BBWs to come and meet their admirers and make friends with both men and women, without the worry of any kind of sexual deviance. [DD: What do you mean by “sexual deviance?”] There is no smut, no profanity, no unacceptable behavior. Everything is monitored, and there are certain words that will trigger the administration’s attention."
I asked her if she'd connected with anyone romantically. "Yes, but it’s not going to end in marriage. It's more of a 'friend' arrangement. [DD: Oh, I see; you're hoping for something with more of a future.] Yes, or more friends. I've dated quite a few from here. I've also met a few men, who live a long distance away, and we have developed a friendship and caring for each other. I think it's also important to add that I have developed friendships with both men and women and we have met socially and go out as groups, or individually."
I asked her if she was looking for a BHM. "No, I'm probably more attracted to a man who is not a SS [Super Size]. And we use the site for fun and entertainment too, especially when we have kids, and can't get out. It's a way to come in and get male attention, flirt, make friends, joke around, and put aside our maturity for a bit - LOL! It has also been a great self esteem booster for me. [DD: Sure, to be somewhere you're appreciated for who you are.] Yes, and realize there are men who are attracted to me regardless of my size [DD: Hell, or BECAUSE of it!] I've been told my whole life I am too big, and in here, they don't care. My personality far outweighs my size."
I also interviewed A.J.B., a 40-year-old hetero BHM from OH, who has been a member for about a month. He says, "I stumbled on this site, and so far it has been a lot of fun. The people here don't seam to have any hidden agendas; they're all real friendly. The only drawback is that there aren't enough ladies living near me. I have been a member of other sites, like Yahoo Personals and Match.com, and this is the best by far." Visit Site
