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May 21, 2008 7:40 pm US/Eastern
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Study: Weight Discrimination Passes Gender, Race
Yale Research Shows Plus-Size People Have A Tough Time In Workplace; Group Pushing For Anti-Weight, Height Laws
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
More and more people are facing discrimination when it comes to weight, according to two recent studies out of Yale University.
The problem is so widespread, the study found it's often more prevalent than rates of discrimination based on race and gender.
The Yale studies found weight discrimination has increased 66 percent in the past decade, in everything from health care to workplace situations.
Sandy Schaffer of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance says that's no surprise. Years ago, when she went for a promotion at another job she learned firsthand how demoralizing a situation like that can be.
"I was told point blank, that I was qualified enough and that I was smart enough and capable of doing the job, but they wouldn't offer me the job because I was too fat," Schaffer said.
When asked if the employer was that blunt, Schaffer said, "Point blank, those words.
"Hey, I'm never going to be skinny. I'm a double-digit diva," she added. "I was born with a plus size pamper. There's nothing I can do. I'm German. I'm a big girl, but I don't have to be unhealthy."
Schaffer was humiliated and left the company, but is now fighting back with the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. She's trying to get "weight" and "height" added to anti-discrimination laws.
"You don't fire smokers. You don't even fire alcoholics. You give them help," Schaffer said.
There is no federal law against weight discrimination, although a handful of cities such as San Francisco and Washington D.C. have banned it locally.
New York has no such law. Robert Chang made a documentary called "Nothing To Lose," following activists trying to end size discrimination. He says it's a critical issue, many are just ignoring.
"Of the 3.2 million New Yorkers who are fat or overweight, they could be fired for being fat and have no legal recourse and I think that's a problem," Chang said.
Catherine Schuller is a style consultant for plus size women.
"I think we represent a lot of fear to people," Schuller said. "You're so big, you're so out of control. We're their worst nightmare and if you just kind of break that and start a relationship with people and just talk to them as a person."
Schuller says it's working for racism and can do the same for weightism.
Right now, Massachusetts is considering a weight and height anti-discrimination bill.
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