In New York City, a contentious bill protecting overweight persons from weight discrimination was passed.
The bill, which is expected to be signed into law this month by Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams, would make discrimination based on a person’s ‘height or weight’ in ‘work, housing, and public accommodation’ illegal.
In response to the legislation, Republican New York City Council minority leader Joseph Borelli argued that it would allow people to “sue anyone and everything.”
One of the bill’s primary backers, Councilman Shaun Abreu, said he learned weight discrimination was a’silent burden’ after being treated differently when he gained more than 40 pounds during confinement.
The bill had the support of charities and activists like self-styled ‘Fat Fab Feminist’ Victoria Abraham who testified to the city council in support of the legislation earlier this year.
Councilman Abreu said: ‘They’re being discriminated against with no recourse and society saying that’s perfectly fine.’
Miss Abraham, who campaigns for civil rights for overweight people, testified to 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.’
The Bill received widespread support and passed 44-5 in the council on Thursday, but faced criticism from some.
Councilman Borelli told the New York Times: ‘I’m overweight but I’m not a victim. No-one should feel bad for me except my struggling shirt buttons.’