NYC Mayor Protects Obesity as a Class.
New York City Mayor Signs Bill Declaring Obesity a Legally Protected Class
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has signed a bill that declares obesity a new legally protected class. This legislation bars individuals from being discriminated against for their height and weight when it comes to employment or public housing.
“It shouldn’t matter how tall you are or how much you weigh when you’re looking for a job, are out on the town, or trying to rent an apartment,” Adams said at the Friday signing ceremony. “No one should ever be discriminated against based on their height and weight. We all deserve the same access to employment, housing, and public accommodations, regardless of our appearance.”
Any incidents of weight discrimination will be investigated by the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Controversy Surrounding the New Law
New York City Republican City Councilman Joseph Borelli warned in April that the new law will “empower people to sue anyone and everything.” However, Mayor Adams believes that this legislation is necessary to ensure that everyone has equal access to opportunities.
Public Policy Following Culture
The mayor’s latest legislation illustrates another hallmark example where public policy follows culture. Obesity had already become a protected class under the hierarchy of oppression outlined by left-wing social justice standards for years.
- In January, TIME Magazine stigmatized exercise as white supremacist.
- In April, Lizzo, an icon of the pro-fat movement disguised as “body positivity,” railed against “oppression” at the Video Music Awards.
However, if Lizzo were a true crusader for social justice, she’d blast the food industry for driving the weight epidemic today, wherein black Americans have the highest prevalence of obesity.
[READ: Is Lizzo Really Oppressed, Or Is She An Oppressor?]
The Ultimate Victims?
In her book, “You Have the Right to Remain Fat,” San Francisco author and activist Virgie Tovar describes fat people as the ultimate victims. “Fatphobia” is the “new language of classism and racism,” she says.
“It is no accident that fat people are underrepresented in the workplace, academia, and mass media,” Tovar added.
Impact on Disabilities and Air Travel
As obesity trends rise, so does the number of people with disabilities, unable to perform tasks critical to jobs with physical demands. Overweight airline passengers have also begun circulating online petitions to mandate airlines offer free seats and bigger bathrooms to accommodate obese travelers. In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was already compelled to update weight guidelines for aircraft to take into account heavier passengers with heavier luggage than when safety standards were last updated in 2005.
Tristan Justice is the western correspondent for The Federalist and the author of Social Justice Redux, a conservative newsletter on culture, health, and wellness. Follow him on Twitter at @JusticeTristan or contact him at [email protected]. Sign up for Tristan’s email newsletter here.
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