NYC bans fat discrimination.

New York City Mayor to Sign Law Protecting Overweight People from Discrimination

Big news for the Big Apple! Mayor Eric Adams is set to sign a new law that will protect overweight people from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation. The law, passed by the city council on Thursday, is a huge win for fat activists who have been fighting for this kind of protection for years.

Fighting Against Weight Discrimination

Democratic councilman Shaun Abreu spoke out in support of the law, saying that weight discrimination is a “silent burden people have had to carry.” He even shared his own experience of being treated differently after gaining 40 pounds. “They’re being discriminated against with no recourse and society saying that’s perfectly fine,” Abreu said.

Activists, including the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), have been pushing for this kind of protection for a long time. Studies show that at least 42 percent of US adults say they have faced some kind of sizism, or discrimination based on their size. Weight bias has been linked to lower wages and employment struggles, as well as negative experiences in education starting as early as preschool.

Concerns from Republicans

Not everyone is happy about the new law, however. Republican council minority leader Joseph Borelli is concerned that it will lead to frivolous lawsuits. He says it will allow residents to “sue anyone and everything.” Despite these concerns, Mayor Adams and the city council are moving forward with the law, which is a huge step forward for overweight people in New York City.

Backing from Fat Activists

Activists like self-proclaimed “Fat Fab Feminist” Victoria Abraham are thrilled about the new law. “In most places in the United States, you can get fired for being fat and have no protection at all, which is crazy because this is a very fat country,” she told ABC7. “Are there gaps in this bill? For sure. But I think it’s the perfect first step,” she said of the city’s new legislation.

Overall, this new law is a huge win for overweight people in New York City and a step in the right direction for fighting against weight discrimination.