Sofie Hagen

Danish, bisexual, and “filthy and graphic, but somehow polite” as Time Out describes her, comic, podcaster and author-activist Sofie Hagen is pushing boundaries with her new book, “Happy Fat: Taking Up Space In A World That Wants To Shrink You” (published by 4th Estate). The book is about how Hagen found self-acceptance in a world where judgement and discrimination are rife, and how she eliminated fatphobic references from her life. Lena Dunham has said the book “is for anyone who has ever felt out of place in the world… Sofie Hagen is who we don’t deserve, but all need.” Hagen herself says, “Not fitting into the box that society deems acceptable is hard, really hard. It’s also a beautiful thing—a radical thing.” And Hagen has been incredibly radical in her practice, metaphorically building her “own castle, and keep[ing] your gate open to whoever you want,” she says. Her castle looks something like the worlds she attempted to create for her last two tours: venues that are wheelchair accessible and have gender neutral bathrooms, with an experience that is “anxiety safe,” as she describes it, and comes with a trigger warning. “Navigating the world as queer is a struggle,” Hagen says. “So, it’s important that we don’t forget to include other groups. Fatphobia, racism, and sexism still thrive in many queer communities and it’s inexcusable.” As she points out, “we know what it’s like to not be accepted. And we are not free till we are all free.” A modern legend in her native Denmark, Hagen’s star has risen beyond her home country thanks to her work as host of podcast “Made of Human,” and co-host of “Secret Dinosaur Cult.” She’s filmed her own series for Comedy Central online, which looks at the sex lives of fellow comedians. Her show “Shimmer Shatter” is “about being an introverted weirdo,” she says. “It is about family and daddy issues. It’s funny. I love it.” And she should, having just finished her biggest tour to date of a show packed with offbeat observations, passionate arguments, and, most of all, humor. —JDG