Obese people are now officially a protected group in New York City after Mayor Eric Adams signed a controversial discrimination bill into law.
A new bill signed last Friday makes it illegal for employers and landlords to discriminate against anyone based on their weight or height when it comes to hiring or securing housing.
The law – which takes effect November 2 – means that weight and height will now be added to the list of protected categories, which includes traits like race, gender and religion.
Mr Adams said: ‘We all deserve equal access to work, housing and public accommodation regardless of our appearance and it shouldn’t matter how tall you are or how much you weigh.’
The law has already sparked outrage in some quarters, with New York Republican Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli claiming it will allow people to “sucate anything and anyone.”
Mr Adams, who has published a book on how he reversed his diabetes with a plant-based diet, said the law would “help level the playing field for all New Yorkers, create more inclusive workplaces and living environments and protect against discrimination”.
It comes as US health officials said rates have risen to ‘epidemic’ proportions, with obesity rates rising to 42 percent nationally
The rule, according to Mr. Adams, who wrote a book about how a plant-based diet helped him overcome his diabetes, would “help level the playing field for all New Yorkers, create more inclusive workplaces and living environments, and protect against discrimination.”
The only exceptions to this rule are situations where a person’s height or weight may make it impossible for them to fulfill essential work duties.
However, the measure was opposed vehemently.
Kathy Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, said “the magnitude of the impact and cost of this legislation” had not been “fully considered.”
The bill has been backed by charities and activists such as self-described ‘Fat Fab Feminist’ Victoria Abraham, who testified before the city council earlier this year in support of the legislation.
Councilor Shaun Abreu, one of the bill’s main sponsors, said he realized weight discrimination was a “silent burden” after being treated differently when he gained more than 40 pounds during lockdown.
The bill has been backed by charities and activists such as self-described ‘Fat Fab Feminist’ Victoria Abraham, who testified before the city council earlier this year in support of the legislation.
It is set to include a defense for employers where consideration of height or weight was “reasonably necessary” for the “normal operation” of a job.
Exceptions to the bill are cases where a person’s height or weight may prevent them from performing critical parts of the job
Councilor Abreu said: ‘They are discriminated against without recourse and society says that’s fine.’
Miss Abraham, who campaigns for civil rights for overweight people, testified before the city council to help inform policymaking.
She told ABC7NY, “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.”
Councilman Borelli told the New York Times, “I’m overweight, but I’m not a victim. No one should feel sorry for me except my struggling shirt buttons.’
Michigan banned employment discrimination based on weight in 1976 and other cities, including San Francisco and Washington DC, have similar legislation.
Other state-level bills have now been introduced in New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey.
New Jersey and Massachusetts have also introduced legislation to end discrimination based on weight and height.
Tigress Osborn, the president of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, said New York City’s ban on weight discrimination should serve as a model for the nation and the world.
Ms Osborn said the city’s approval of the new ordinance will “ripple around the world” and show that “discriminating against people based on their body size is wrong and something we can change”.
It comes as US health officials said rates have risen to “epidemic” proportions, with the obesity rate rising to 42 percent nationally.
Experts say the shift has been caused by people eating more ultra-processed foods, which are high in fats, sugars and salts but low in essential nutrients.
Americans have also begun more sedentary lifestyles and office jobs, while many in rural communities now live in food deserts.
Being overweight puts you at higher risk for a host of health problems, including high blood pressure and cholesterol — risk factors for heart disease — type 2 diabetes and breathing problems.
Fat people now officially a protected group in NYC after Eric Adams signs discrimination law