The Radical Therapy movement was against the stigmatization of mental illness and its individualized treatment in psychiatry because it obscured the true nature of oppression.
Judy Freespirit and Sara Golda Bracha Fishman founded the organization as a National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) chapter in Los Angeles.
They believed that weight loss through medical treatment was a mystified oppression and that public health specialists were omitting research findings to play into the exploitations of the weight-loss industry.
Similar to "Daddy's Girl," Freespirit wrote the book "Keeping it in the Family," which is about a "fat, disabled, middle-aged, Jewish lesbian" who is dealing with her childhood sexual abuse.
[7] This event marked an important transition in the movement, providing a platform for fat women to come together, share their experiences, and advocate for their rights.
"[7] Alongside Lisa Schoenfielder and Barb Wieser, Freespirit helped compile this anthology, which featured both published and unpublished works from the Fat Liberator Press.
This collective endeavor aimed to contribute to a broader dialogue on body positivity and acceptance, providing a platform for both published and unpublished works that might not have been represented in mainstream discourse.
These works included books which examine the perspectives of women with larger body sizes, addressing prevalent myths, societal stereotypes, and the exclusion of these individuals from various “activities like dancing and sports”.
[7] It further discusses the challenges of enduring harassment, social isolation, and medical bias, portraying these women as survivors navigating a landscape marked by stigma and adversity.
This collection provided a platform for fat women to express their experiences, struggles, and successes in the face of societal biases and prejudices.
The anthology "Shadow on a Tightrope" tackled issues related to body image, social stigma, harassment, and medical violence, all of which are intertwined with the broader feminist discourse.
While the group eventually faced challenges and dissolved, its existence marked a significant step towards creating a supportive community for fat women in the UK.
In present-day conversations surrounding survivor advocacy and LGBTQ issues, Judy Freespirit's work is often acknowledged as an early instance of intersectional feminism.
[3] Through her efforts to challenge stereotypes and promote a nuanced understanding of trauma and sexuality, Judy Freespirit has made a lasting impression on advocacy movements, motivating individuals to express their truths and confront societal misconceptions.