New York law prohibits discrimination based on weight or height

AMayor Eric Adams signed into law this Friday a bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against anyone because of their height or weight. at work, housing, or in public places in New York.

“No one should be discriminated against because of height and weight. All we deserve equal access to employment, housing and public spaces, regardless of our appearance,” Mayor Adams said after signing the bill, promoted by Dominican-born council member Sean Abreu.

He added that the law will help create more inclusive workplaces and living environments, regardless of your height or weight, when you are looking for a job or trying to rent an apartment.

Councilor Abreu stressed that size discrimination is a social justice issue and a threat to public health. “People of different body types are being denied access to equal pay and employment opportunities and have no legal means to challenge it. To make matters worse, millions of people are being taught to hate their bodies,” he said.

He recalled that more than 50 years ago, a group of people gathered in Central Park to protest the daily injustice people face because of their weight.

“While it took too long to accept something so simple and widely supported, it goes without saying that the most diverse New York City Council in history is the one that epitomizes it in the very city where this movement began.” – he said.

The new law, however, provides for some exceptions where federal, state, or local laws or regulations require certain physical efforts (for example, for firefighters or garbage collectors).

For her part, Commissioner for Human Rights Annabelle Palma stressed that most forms of discrimination based on appearance remain unchecked.

The New York City Human Rights Law is now making it clear that no one should be denied opportunities based on height or weight in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

In 2019, the city was the first in the country to issue guidelines that consider it discrimination if a person is the reason for being fired or harassed because of their hair or hairstyle type; in such cases, discrimination is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000.

(EFE)