Fat people will be protected from discrimination under law passed in New York

hollydolly

hollydolly

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A controversial bill protecting fat people from weight discrimination has been passed in New York City.

The bill, which is set to be signed into law by Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams this month, would outlaw discrimination on the basis of a person's 'height or weight' in 'employment, housing and public accommodation'.

But it has already triggered outrage in some quarters, with Republican New York City council minority leader Joseph Borelli claiming it will empower people to 'sue anyone and everything'.

Councilman Shaun Abreu, one of the bill's main sponsors, said he realized weight discrimination was a 'silent burden' after he was treated differently when he gained more than 40lbs during lockdown.

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.

It is set to include a defense for employers where consideration of height or weight was 'reasonably necessary' for the 'normal operations' of a job.

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.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...critics-warn-allow-people-sue-everything.html


So now my questions immediately are these

1... what will they decide is fat... if someone calls another person who is 8 stones (112 pounds)..FAT.. will they face prosecution..?

2.. will it be abused like so many other things when someone is looking to have someone else arrested... '' he called me the N word.. he called me transphobic.. she called me a man when I'm really a she.... he called me Fat :oops:

I understand not discriminating when it comes to jobs for example.. but again employers will get around it like they do already do with age . If they don't want an overweight person on their team, they'll blame it on something else..
 

Have you seen the average American? The word "skinny" doesn't come to mind. And I'm 20 lbs. over my ideal weight, too. But when some are morbidly obese, it's almost impossible not to feel that person is not in good health. If the obese can perform the job, their weight shouldn't be a factor. But that said, if employing an obese person sends your health insurance rates sky high, it becomes an issue.
BTW, I had to have my flooring repaired. One of the guys was well over 400+pounds. He couldn't fit through the front door, he had to use the back door. I couldn't believe it, he was able to do his job.
 

hearlady said:
Hmmm Mixed messages?
Fat tax
A ‘fat tax’ is a specific tax placed on foods which are considered to be unhealthy and contribute towards obesity. The tax could be placed on foods high in sugar/fat, such as crisps, chocolate and deep fried takeaways. The argument is that a fat tax would encourage healthier eating and raise revenue to be spent on public health care.

Pros and Cons of Fat Tax - Economics Help​


www.economicshelp.org/blog/5056/economics/pros-and-cons-of-fat-tax/
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we actually have that here.. items high in sugar and fat cost pound for pound more than low fat foods..
 
Lee said:
I occasionally hire two handymen who are cousins. One is tall and thin, the other short and obese. They work well together and get the job done.
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..and if they decide ( not saying they will).. that you're not paying them enough..nothing stopping them suing you for calling one of them fat... apparently..
 
Myrtle said:
As a somewhat fluffy person I will say I am so tired of the language being weaponized. Get over it!

If a person is too fat to physically accomplish their job then why should an employer have to continue paying them while hiring another person to do the actual work?
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I love the word fluffy. I am somewhat fluffy too, I blame lockdowns.

It is silly, we are people, with all our quirks. All shapes and weights. I hardly know anyone who looks perfect.
Shame to make it such an issue.
 
We need a war! Then nobody would be worried about anyone being fat, skinny or whatever; especially when a bomb hits the building next to your home. Sometimes, I just got so tired of listening to the so called "problems" of the First World. For example, changing the name for Christmas to Winter Festival, building a 3rd bathroom for those that are not "comfortable" with the term men/women and the dozens of abuses that apparently everyone is greatly suffering here in the First World.
 
Studies I have read throughout the years, and I can't quote one, have always stated that, all things basically equal the better looking person will always get the job over their less attractive competition. "Got to be good lookin' 'cause you're so hard to see." John Lennon
 
What matrix will they use to determine if someone is fat? I have a friend that is so skinny, he doesn’t even cast a shadow. (Almost)

I was just thinking about this post when I remembered my friend who is a retired pilot telling me that when the pilots figure up the weight of the plane when it’s loaded, they used to use men=150 pounds, but today they use men=175 pounds. Or something in that area.
 
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fuzzybuddy said:
Have you seen the average American? The word "skinny" doesn't come to mind. And I'm 20 lbs. over my ideal weight, too. But when some are morbidly obese, it's almost impossible not to feel that person is not in good health. If the obese can perform the job, their weight shouldn't be a factor. But that said, if employing an obese person sends your health insurance rates sky high, it becomes an issue.
BTW, I had to have my flooring repaired. One of the guys was well over 400+pounds. He couldn't fit through the front door, he had to use the back door. I couldn't believe it, he was able to do his job.
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yes but it's not just about employment.. if someone calls you fat.. you'll be able to sue them.... or vicky verky..if someone SAYS you called them fat you will have broken the law,..even if you didn't..
 
This is what we get when people think laws/ rules change anything ...... one would need to read all details and loopholes but in general most of these are simply a WIN for lawyers looking for frivolous lawsuits.....

housing / employment and public accommodations......... so what is the limit......?

own a business and any chair must hold how much weight? some little shops and places in city look super cramped to get in and out of how wide of an aisle would be needed?
housing if a landlord anticipates the wear and tear for example on handrails? These are designed to steady someone not used to pull up 500 LBs. elevators have a weight limit for safety of operation ... other items have limits for safe operation making them to fit ALL is not possible.

how would they prove not accepted to rent because of weight not just competition?

Employment is a concern...... some cannot do the job ...
some obese are incredibly agile and can do anything ...........................some cannot walk over x amount of feet .................does that mean places would need to adopt an actual physical for employment ?
no longer allow physical requirements for police or fire?

How many could apply for jobs they would be unable to do with zero expectation to be hired but to sue after ........all the suits the lawyer fees should fall on those unable to make their claim.

most of these feel good measures have no teeth in them to enforce simply a PR stunt like they care about the plight of the obese ..
 
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Holly—You come over here to the U.S. and we’ll show you why so many Americans are heavy. We have more varieties of junk food than any other country probably. If it has fat or sugar in it, we got it or make it. I live in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You know what that means, right? Yeah, Hershey chocolates. We will take you to the factory and a place called “Chocolate World.” My favorite is just the good old Hershey plain chocolate bar. When I was a kid they cost a nickel. Today, I think they are all but $2.00. If you get the chocolate bar with almonds, they are the same price. Hershey’s also owns Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I think every home in America has some Hershey’s in it.
 
hollydolly said:
yes but it's not just about employment.. if someone calls you fat.. you'll be able to sue them.... or vicky verky..if someone SAYS you called them fat you will have broken the law,..even if you didn't..
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If someone is actually classified as obese in medical terms and you call them fat, can they successfully sue you? Would you not have a First Amendment argument that you were simply stating a fact? And as long as we're talking about health issues of this sort, could you be sued for calling an anorexic "skinny"? It seems to be the same argument: using a possibly derogatory term to describe someone. Would it be acceptable to state that the person is larger than average?
 
Alligatorob said:
Sounds like discrimination to me...
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Well, you’re not going to like this but it’s just the legal side of me. The word “Discrimination” is a legal word. Therefore, it’s up to the court to decide. Maybe Ohioboy can shed more light on the subject.
 
Rich said:
If someone is actually classified as obese in medical terms and you call them fat, can they successfully sue you? Would you not have a First Amendment argument that you were simply stating a fact? And as long as we're talking about health issues of this sort, could you be sued for calling an anorexic "skinny"? It seems to be the same argument: using a possibly derogatory term to describe someone. Would it be acceptable to state that the person is larger than average?
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well not according to this new law... the fact you call them fat...and or dicriminate as an employer or potential employer because you feel they'd be too fat for the job...then you're going to be in trouble..
 
hollydolly said:
A controversial bill protecting fat people from weight discrimination has been passed in New York City.

The bill, which is set to be signed into law by Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams this month, would outlaw discrimination on the basis of a person's 'height or weight' in 'employment, housing and public accommodation'.

But it has already triggered outrage in some quarters, with Republican New York City council minority leader Joseph Borelli claiming it will empower people to 'sue anyone and everything'.

Councilman Shaun Abreu, one of the bill's main sponsors, said he realized weight discrimination was a 'silent burden' after he was treated differently when he gained more than 40lbs during lockdown.

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.

It is set to include a defense for employers where consideration of height or weight was 'reasonably necessary' for the 'normal operations' of a job.

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.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...critics-warn-allow-people-sue-everything.html


So now my questions immediately are these

1... what will they decide is fat... if someone calls another person who is 8 stones (112 pounds)..FAT.. will they face prosecution..?

2.. will it be abused like so many other things when someone is looking to have someone else arrested... '' he called me the N word.. he called me transphobic.. she called me a man when I'm really a she.... he called me Fat :oops:

I understand not discriminating when it comes to jobs for example.. but again employers will get around it like they do already do with age . If they don't want an overweight person on their team, they'll blame it on something else..
Click to expand...
No clue as to who the woman that calls herself Fat Fab Feminist' is.

Now I know
https://www.google.com/search?q=fat...69i57j69i59.2229j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I think an undeniable burden of proof should be on the person filing a complaint. If unable the claim should be immediately dismissed.
 
911 said:
Holly—You come over here to the U.S. and we’ll show you why so many Americans are heavy. We have more varieties of junk food than any other country probably. If it has fat or sugar in it, we got it or make it. I live in Hershey, Pennsylvania. You know what that means, right? Yeah, Hershey chocolates. We will take you to the factory and a place called “Chocolate World.” My favorite is just the good old Hershey plain chocolate bar. When I was a kid they cost a nickel. Today, I think they are all but $2.00. If you get the chocolate bar with almonds, they are the same price. Hershey’s also owns Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I think every home in America has some Hershey’s in it.
Click to expand...
Well, to be honest with you ..I don't need to see it.. unfortunately it's one of the things that are the least positive things about the USA that's very well known outside of America.. and that is that the population tends to be much bigger and heavier than the rest of the world..

Even tourists come back saying they cannot believe the size of the portions served to them in restaurants... usually twice if not 3 times the size which are served outside of the USA .
 
hollydolly said:
well not according to this new law... the fact you call them fat...and or dicriminate as an employer or potential employer because you feel they'd be too fat for the job...then you're going to be in trouble..
Click to expand...
I once interviewed a gentleman that applied for a job with the company I worked for. He was huge and likely would not have been able to do the job because of that. However, he was also not qualified technically and that's the main reason I didn't hire him. I'm glad this law wasn't around back then or perhaps I would have been sued.
 
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Rich said:
O once interviewed a gentleman that applied for a job with the company I worked for. He was huge and likely would not have been able to do the job because of that. However, he was also not qualified technically and that's the main reason I didn't hire him. I'm glad this law wasn't around back the or perhaps I would have been sued.
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like I say, Employers will probably react to Overweight people who are clearly not suitable for a job by turning them down using a different reason..

here in the Uk it's illegal to turn someone down due to age... so instead the potential employer states the reason was ..something else.. attitude, lack of qualifications/experience, etc.. ..so I suspect that's exactly what will happen when they have to trun someone away who is very overweight..
 

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