Rotund New Zealand Queer Fat Studies Lecturer Who Pushed Fat Acceptance Dies SUDDENLY In Her Sleep At 42

Cat Pause,​ an academic whose research explored the impacts of “fat stigma”, has died.

The Massey University lecturer specialized in fat studies and body stigma.

She had recently been outspoken about healthcare discrimination based on body size, during the pandemic.

Close friend MP Dr. Deborah Russell said she was told by Dr. Pausé's family that she died in her sleep.

Dr Pausé was "a kind and loving person and very generous-hearted", she said.

"She had a huge smile and she was very generous with her time, and just with thoughtfulness for people. She sent the most beautiful gifts to people ... She was also very fond of my daughters and she'd come to the school shows to see my girls on the stage."

Through their friendship, Russell learned "the social stigma towards fat people is appalling".

"She urged a really, really radical acceptance ... What Cat taught me, was to separate medical judgment and moral judgment."

The video above is from 9 years ago when she appeared on Firstline.