Liberal States Push ‘Fatphobia’ Discrimination Laws, Colorado Takes the Lead
The "Fat Pride" movement is gaining momentum in Colorado and spreading across the United States, as the state prepares to become the first in 50 years to ban "fat phobia" through legislation.
Progressive politicians in Colorado are planning to include weight as a protected characteristic, alongside age, race, and sexual orientation, in the state’s anti-discrimination laws – creating another protected class.
Colorado, known as America's slimmest state, is spearheading this push, with Boulder at its forefront. Other states, including New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Jersey, have also considered similar legislation influenced by "fat pride" groups, some of which have served as official advisers. Additionally, cities like San Francisco, Washington DC, and New York City have already passed laws aimed at preventing discrimination against overweight individuals.
Except, the crusade for fat acceptance appears to be much more about ideology than health, as demonstrated by the case of Colorado. While conservative states with high obesity rates, such as West Virginia and Kentucky, reject such laws, Colorado, a staunchly Democrat state, considers itself a progressive beacon.
In 2014, Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational cannabis after all.
The Fat Acceptance Movement, though as dangerous as it is ludicrous, has politicized obesity, turning it into an identity issue. This has fueled the demand for new legislation in liberal states like Colorado, despite the fact that the state has the lowest obesity rate in the US at 25 percent.
Colorado lawmakers are currently working on two weight discrimination bills for the upcoming legislative session. These bills aim to ban weight-based discrimination by employers and housing providers, as well as bullying in schools. One proposal includes weight in a strict anti-discrimination law, raising concerns among law firms in Colorado that it could enable individuals to sue their employers over a simple "disparaging" remark.
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Ironically, this legislation moves forward while a comprehensive study conducted by Colorado University earlier this year revealed that one in six deaths in the US is related to excess weight or obesity.
The study highlighted that these conditions increase the risk of dying by anywhere from 22 to 91 percent. Professor Ryan Masters, who led the research, noted that the true impact of this public health crisis might be even greater than what studies have estimated thus far, considering the easy accessibility of cheap, unhealthy food and sedentary lifestyles.
As liberal states continue to advocate for fatphobia discrimination laws, questions arise regarding the prioritization of ideology over the pressing health concerns associated with obesity. The focus on protecting the feelings of individuals based on weight rather than addressing the underlying health risks raises concerns among those who believe that personal responsibility and accountability should remain essential in promoting a healthier society.