Eric Adams signs ‘weight discrimination’ bill into law, says ‘body type’ is not connected to health

Adams said, "I'm a person that believes in health, so when you talk about not discriminating against someone because of their body type, it's not fighting against obesity; it's just being fair. So I think this is the right thing to do. We're going to continue to talk about our progressive health agenda. Science has shown body type is not a connection to if you're healthy or unhealthy, and I think that's a misnomer we are really dispelling."

Fox News reports that the bill tasks New York City's Commission on Human Rights to investigate complaints concerning height and weight in addition to their current ability to investigate complaints over age, gender, and race when it comes to employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Joseph Borelli, the Republican New York City Council minority leader, told the New York Times that the law would allow New Yorkers to "sue anyone and everything."

Borelli added, "I'm overweight, but I'm not a victim," Borelli said, according to Daily Mail. "No one should feel bad for me except my struggling shirt buttons."

Per the city's website, New York City Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Annabel Palma explained, "Most forms of appearance-based discrimination have persisted unchecked. The New York City Human Rights Law now makes clear that no one should be denied an opportunity based on height or weight in employment, housing, and public accommodations. As we have done for decades, the Commission looks forward to working with all stakeholders to cultivate an equitable city for all."

According to the Daily Mail, one of the bill's sponsors was Councilman Shaun Abreu, who gained a whopping 40 lbs during the Covid lockdowns and said putting on that much weight made him understand the "silent burden" of weight discrimination.

The bill passed 44 to 5 on Thursday.