"Do We Really Need a Law to Protect Fat Workers?"

[susanstinson]

Here's a link to Boston Globe Magazine article that ran on Saturday. It's a strong article that takes these issues seriously, and while there's also plenty to critique in this coverage, I'm in a pretty pragmatic mode here: Rep. Rushing's office is still looking for people who are interested in speaking to media about size discrimination; writing letters to Mass. legistlators in support of the bill, and/or going to the September hearing in support of it.

They're getting a lot of requests for more articles and interviews since that article appeared, and while Massachusetts residents are especially helpful, they are also eager to hear from people from all over the country, since since some of the coverage is national. And, yes, please, spread the word. The contact person in Rep. Rushing's office is Fay Sliger: Fay.Sliger@state.ma.us.

Editing to add: I'm also thinking about how many really strong writers read here, so I also want to say to you that this would be a good moment to write about these issues, and this law's attempt to address discrimination based on size, in whatever form you chose: in your lj or blog, letters to the editor, op eds, poems, personal essays, you name it. There's plenty of power in that, for sure.

Also, if anybody who helped work get the San Francisco law passed, in big or small ways, wants to talk about their experiences with that, that would be so helpful and inspiring.

Also, here's a summary and critique of the article from fatfu.

Comments

[oursin.livejournal.com]

There was an article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2142947,00.html) only yesterday in The Guardian, pointing out that not all bodies respond in the same way to exercise and some people can exercise quite a substantial amount with no discernable effect.

[susanstinson.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- that's interesting to see. It seems as if there's quite a bit of fascinating science happening around questions of fatness lately, but also a fair amount of biased or even punitive public policy (and proposed policy) that fails to take it into account. That's why that some Massachusetts lawmakers have the political courage to sponsor this bill is moving to me.

[auntysocial.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this. It was hard for me to read an article that lead off describing such hatred. I know that hatred is there. I've experienced it, in ways both great and small. I fear it. It infuriates me. I'm not able to write polite letters urging passing the bill, or to speak to the media....but I'm going include a rant or two in my blog now and then.

[susanstinson.livejournal.com]

Sorry that the article was hard to read. I'm glad that you're going to continue to write about these issues in your blog -- see mustard plasters!