Christian Rowley Quoted in The Women’s International Perspective, Inc. (The WIP)
“Fat Activists Seek Law Banning Weight Discrimination”

Christian Rowley was quoted on July 8, 2009 in The Women’s International Perspective, Inc. (The WIP) article, “Fat Activists Seek Law Banning Weight Discrimination.” The article discussed how there are few laws pertaining to overweight people concerning discrimination and verbal abuse in both employment and social settings.

According to the article, six cities in the United States and the state of Michigan have enacted laws protecting against weight discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pertains to those who are overweight and “appear” to have a disability, but it does not address weight discrimination. Christian observed, “If [the ADA is] expanded to weight, why not include height, hair style, beauty, or overall appearance, which will essentially ensure that nearly every disaffected employee can claim discrimination. It would proliferate an already overloaded and expensive docket of lawsuits.” Christian concluded, “While not opposed to the idea of a federal weight discrimination law, it must first be considered whether or not current laws are already fulfilling this role.”