New York City has passed a bill outlawing discrimination based on weight. Thus, it gave strength to a growing equality movement in the USA, such as the race and gender struggle.
More than 40 percent of American adults are considered obese, and research shows it’s common to view weight as a flaw.
Discrimination, such as lower wages, may occur, especially for women.
New York City Councilor Shaun Abreu, who supported the bill, said weight discrimination was “a silent burden that people have had to bear”.
During public hearings, supporters said they had trouble sitting in restaurants and movie theaters, were turned away by homeowners, and exceeded weight limits on municipal bikes.
Abreu said he gained 18 kg during the pandemic and that behavior towards him changed, so he became more aware of the problem. He stated that since there is no measure against this, the problems increase.
The resolution is expected to be signed by the mayor of New York later this month.
Republican Joseph Borelli, minority leader of the New York city council, told the New York Times he was worried the law would empower New Yorkers to “sue anyone and anything”.
“I’m overweight, but I’m not a victim. No one should feel sorry for me except for my struggling shirt buttons,” she said.
In Michigan, weight discrimination in the workplace was outlawed in 1976. Some cities, such as San Francisco and Washington DC, also have regulations.
The dramatic increase in obesity rates in the last 20 years has brought about such movements.
Tegan Lecheler, director of an association that worked with Member of Parliament Abreu on the bill, said it was a civil rights issue, not a health issue.
New York’s human rights law already prohibits discrimination based on 27 characteristics, including age, marital status, disability and origin, in housing, workplace and public housing. The bill adds weight and height to that list.
Abreu said he hopes this move by the largest city in the country will encourage other cities and states to do the same.