Celebrities
Narjas Zatat
Jul 03, 2019
![Picture:](https://www.indy100.com/media-library/picture.jpg?id=28047380&width=1245&height=700&quality=85&coordinates=59%2C0%2C59%2C0)
Picture:
roo_jenna/Twitter
People are expressing support towards a 19-year-old girl who was told by a church leader that she was “too fat” to wear Jean shorts, by uploading a picture of them wearing the garment.
As reported by indy100, a young woman called Jenna uploaded a video, which has since gone viral, of an unnamed church leader who followed her into the toilets of Swansboro United Methodist Baptist Church, Pennsylvania to let her know that she couldn’t wear jeans shorts because she was too ‘fat’ for them, and demanded she change before taking up singing at the church.
“Don’t come back on that stage with those shorts. I’m warning you,” the woman, whose name tag read Bonnie, told a tearful Jenna.
Jenna asked said: “Who are you? Who are you to tell me what I’m supposed to do? No. Get the f*** out of my face. Get out. I am 19 years old and I can do whatever I want.”
“Really?” The woman responded. “Try it.” She walked away, with Jenna telling her that she “recorded the whole thing” and intends to tell her parents.
“I will never come back to this church because of how much you are disrespectful. You are so disrespectful.”
Jenna shared the outfit she wore that day:
The exchange was viewed over four million times as people all around the world sent their support to Jenna.
Some people decided to wear shorts as a show of solidarity
They're sending their love
And a young woman from the same church said she intends to "rock these jean shorts" during the upcoming weekend service
Another woman drew a sketch of Jenna rocking the shorts
And one woman shared something similar that happened to her at church
People told Jenna there was nothing wrong with the way she was dressed
"What you did you did for all of us"
"I wear shorter shorts than this," another Twitter user revealed
Responding to the supportive messages, Jenna uploaded a video in which she compelled people not to send angry messages to the woman.
Hey everyone. I just wanted to thank everyone for the love and support that I have received for the past couple of days. The unconditional love. Thank you.
I want everyone to understand I do not hate the woman in the video. Instead I forgive her. Yes, the words hurt, it hurt. But from this I want people to take this – bullying is wrong. No matter who you are and what age.
I want other people know that they are not alone. They have so many other people who deal with this same exact thing. And you are able to speak out. And so thank you. But really I beg please do not send any harassing or mean things to her.
The church recognised that Jenna was body shamed and vowed not to let it happen again.
A letter was written by pastor Kevin Baker acknowledged “great harm” has been done in an incident “that occurred this past Sunday where a faithful and very gifted young lady and worship leader was body shamed for her appearance.
We are shocked and saddened by this act. The church is supposed to be a place of safety, love and acceptance.
We are currently working to assure that nothing like this will ever happen again and will update the church on specific next steps we are taking soon.
More: Ivanka Trump's attempts to talk to world leaders has resulted in her becoming a hilarious new meme
Top 100
The Conversation (0)
x