Massachusetts H. 1844
It’s been interesting to watch, as the news about H. 1844 has slowly eked around fat communities, how both the main NAAFA site and the ISAA sites haven’t mentioned anything about the bill. Sure, I did receive an email from Jeanne Toombs letting me know to pass the word around (which I’ve done, as best I could), and I’ve seen posts about it elsewhere (for example, Stefanie made an excellent post about it on fatshionista), but for the most part there hasn’t been much excitement that I’ve seen, which seems… frankly, kind of sad to me. I’m sure the Boston NAAFA is all in a tizzy over the news, and granted, the bill is only for Massachusetts, but still… am I the only non-resident who’s psyched about this?
The gist of the bill (the full text of which is available in PDF format here) basically amends current anti-discrimination policy to include “height” and “weight” within all the other identity groups (like sexual orientation, disability, gender, etc). It’s not exactly the Fat Lib Manifesto - after all, when is government ever radical? - but it’s at least a big step in the right direction. The sponsor of the bill, as far as I’ve read, is Representative Byron Rushing, whose House profile is a little bland, but who is featured far more… interestingly… on other sites. Among the things I found out when I went Googling was this nifty little profile from the Wrongful Convictions conference at Hahvahd a few years back:
Representative Rushing was an original sponsor of the gay rights bill and the chief sponsor of the law to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public schools. He is a spokesman against the restoration of the death penalty in Massachusetts and for a moratorium on executions in the nation. He leads the effort for size acceptance and anti-discrimination on the basis of height and weight. He led the Commonwealth’s anti-apartheid efforts and is the chief sponsor of the Massachusetts Burma law. He was the chief sponsor of the health reform law ending pre-existing condition refusals by insurance companies. He is a chief sponsor of legislation for needle exchange programs and over-the-counter sale of sterile needles. He supports the freedom of religious worship and practices.
Looks like good stuff. If you’re in Massachusetts and you care about these sorts of things, I’d say it’s worth the time to get in touch with your senators and representatives and let them know you think the bill should be passed; printed letters, I hear, are more effective than email.
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Dear Sheana,
Just thought I’d let you know more about what NAAFA is doing and has done with regard to H. 1844 in MA. We are devoting almost the entire Spring Newsletter which will be coming out within the week to the MA Height/Weight issue. You may not be aware of it, but this is not the first time this bill has been introduced and we have always been behind Rep. Rushing whenever he reintroduces the bill. Our support goes back to 1999 when he was our keynote speaker at our 2nd Boston convention and he came to Our Every Body Good Body Activism event at Fanueil Hall. We had our annual convention in Boston last year with yet another attempt to garner media exposure and support for the bill but our press conference was pre-empted by the terrorism in the London airport that same day. Our web site is going to be updated with all kinds of new stuff (MA bill, Speaker’s Bureau & more) when our webmaster finishes with our convention update which should be posted before the week’s end.
Jeanne Toombs, a MA resident, is on our board of directors and is spearheading our efforts to rally support for the bill. She and I together have posted letters asking for action on a long list of websites, My Space sites and yahoo groups. NAAFA is an all volunteer, board-run organization and we can always use the help of volunteers. Would you care to join us?
Looking forward,
Peggy Howell, Public Relations Chairman
National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
Wow, thanks for dropping by, Peggy! I have no idea how you found this blog, but I’m honored (and, frankly, amazed) that you took the time out of your undoubtedly hectic schedule to let me know what’s up!
I’m aware that NAAFA is working on this and supports Byron; I guess my thoughts are motivated more out of a general frustration with the somewhat impermeable nature of the NAAFA website, and how rarely it seems to be updated. For what many say is the nation’s premier fat lib org, I just am surprised that after a week or two of this news being out, there’s still nothing on the main site. It’s great that it’s the focus of your newsletter, but I guess I just didn’t see why it couldn’t also get a mention as soon as folks found out about it - after all, I’ve seen it posted to the fatstudies list, to fatshionista, and people have emailed me personally since it happened.
As for helping get the word about it, I mention it in my lectures to classes and I posted here, and I’ve been emailing contacts in Mass… trying to do the good work, I guess. As for joining NAAFA, I’m just plain too poor to afford the $15 membership fee, and I’ve had some issues with some of NAAFA’s practices/policies in the past (though I recognize how important it is). So yes, I guess I am joining you in the fat lib work, just… not the org itself.
Dear Sheana,
ISAA has agreed to be part of a broad coalition, along with NAAFA, to support this bill. Look for changes on the ISAA website and participation in coming weeks.
Best Wishes,
Allen Steadham, Director
International Size Acceptance Association
Hey Allen, I’m glad to hear ISAA is doing coalition work with H.1844. I was just surprised to have heard so little about it from the two big organizations, so I’ll keep my eyes open for any updates on the site.
[…] August 6th, 2007 — fatfu The Boston Globe Magazine has a new article on the Massachusetts anti-discrimination bill. Although the article’s a mixed bag, the author seems to see the […]
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Hi, Sheana:
I was just in Boston last week to speak on an expert panel designed to educate legislators and their staffers about this bill. The crucial hearing is happening Tuesday, March 25, at 2pm at the State House room A-2. I invite everyone possible — everyone! — to come make history!!!
I am very excited. I hope you all are, too.
I am spending full-time until the hearing working on getting every possible person to call their state reps (if they live in Mass.) and to attend the hearing and testify (each person gets about 5 minutes, more if the legislators ask questions).
I will have a good phone number for people who can call their reps on Monday and will get that to you, Sheana, to post here, if you’re willing.
People’s calls will have a huge impact on individual legislators in convincing them to support the bill. In calling, people should say whatever they like about how important civil rights protections based on body size are and then ask to hear back on how the Rep. is voting in this bill, how s/he will support it. I’m told that asking their position helps get their attention on your call.
I appreciate that people who update their websites daily imagine that a lack of NAAFA website update on this topic means nothing is happening. That’s simply not true. I welcome everyone’s help in spreading this info through fat pride bloglandia.
The only caution I would offer is that it would be best not to get massive media coverage of this legislation, as negative comments can dissuade politicians from voting for the law. But the news is already out, in that the State House press service covered the expert panel last week, and government is transparent, so it’s not possible to keep media from knowing about the hearing at all. So, with that caution, I hope everyone will do whatever is possible to make the biggest, fattest possible show of support from fat pride community and people who oppose height discrimination.
I welcome any questions, am happy to post responses here or wherever.
Yay! - Marilyn Wann
I am a Massachusetts resident who was recently denied a hysterectomy based on my weight. There were no medical reasons why I couldn’t have the surgery (I have since had it in New York state, there were no complications, and I am very pleased with the results) but the hospital where my family’s insurance covers us to receive care (yes, we are fully insured) has decided not to invest in equipment to provide services for fat people. In the case of an emergency they will (they must by law) treat, stabilize, and transfer. But in the case of elective surgery such as mine they can simply refuse to provide care. This is discrimination and this is perfectly legal.
Massachusetts has recently required all its citizens to have health insurance, but my case proves that, until this bill is passed, health insurance is no guarantee of health care. I will be testifying in Boston on March 25. I encourage all Massachusetts citizens to contact their Representatives and encourage them to support this bill
[…] that bill I talked about way back in March of 2007 that would outlaw discrimination based on size in Massachusetts? Well, it is finally gaining […]