Tess Holliday, Natalie Hage, and Whitney Way Thore respond to 'violent' fat-shaming death threats

'Hatred of fat people is real and it’s terrifying'

(Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows)

Three body-positive activists, including model Tess Holliday, have received a "violent" death threat.

Along with Natalie Hage and Whitney Way Thore, Holliday posted it to her Instagram account in a bid to show people the kind of hateful messages she is sent and let everyone know that they are taking legal action.

The message was initially sent to Hage on Facebook. It contained extremely “graphic violence and fat hate”, she said.

Referring to them as “gluttonous sows” who “will not make it to 50”, the person who threatened them wrote: "I wish I had three hollow point bullets and a clear line of sight."

The women claim the sender is a white male and a nurse with a young daughter.

In response, Hage wrote on Instagram: "Unfortunately, we’re not new to this kind of vitriol."

She added that this particular message was more upsetting than others she’s previously received.

“Fat hate is really really real. This kind of unchecked misogyny turns into real life violence,” she wrote. “These people own guns. These people work in your town. These people come in contact with your kids. These people shoot up public places and take innocent lives”.

Hage also revealed that this was the third in a series of hateful direct messages from the same person, noting that it got “progressively worse” each time.

Holliday's post explained that although she receives death threats “daily” and has become “numb” to them, this one shocked her.

Thore added: “I see more of these kinds of messages than I’m sure you can imagine, but this one got me. Hatred of fat people is real and it’s terrifying.”

The trio reveal the sender’s identity or social media handle but noted that the incident had been reported to the police.

Hage concluded her post by adding that she wouldn’t let these kind of hateful messages stop her or her fellow activists from speaking out.

“I’m angry that I’m scared but I won’t be silenced. I won’t let him have power over me," she said.

Collectively, the trio’s Instagram posts amassed almost 55,000 likes and have been flooded with comments of love and support from followers.

“I’m so sorry and I am grateful for people like you that are willing to promote awareness and acceptance of all bodies, because everybody is worthy of love,” one person wrote.

Another added: “This is heartbreaking. Good to hear you took action, though. Sending lots of strength and love.”

A third added: “I am disturbingly saddened by this, wtf is wrong with people?"