SIZEISM, also known as size discrimination, is defined as prejudice based solely on the grounds of a person’s size, either height or weight. SIZEISM is a developing discriminatory class & is not yet a protected class in the United States.  Today, in a country where over 78.6 million adults are overweight (obese) only ONE state & SIX US cities presently hold laws protecting against weight or size discrimination.

#LetsEndSizeism

Hello, my name is Shatroyia Phillips. Some may know me as the author of “All Hail the Queen” or the Pageant Queen/ winner of 2013 Miss Plus-Size Miami Pageant. I am, and have always been full-figured (plus-sized). I've always carried myself with confidence, & I've always looked to motivate & empower women who are not so confident.  The honor of winning the pageant put me under the spotlight and I humbly became an inspiration and role model to countless teens and even adult women struggling with self-esteem & weight issues. Many of these women reached out to me to share their stories, and it was these heartfelt messages that fueled my desire to not only represent, inspire, & empower, but to actually stand up & become more of an advocate for the Plus-size community. Amongst other things, I am starting this petition to raise public awareness about SIZEISM.

#SizeismIsDiscrimination

Many people experience size discrimination in the job market (hiring, promotion, bonuses, etc.), housing, the medical fields, and in areas designated for public access (restaurants, night clubs, etc.). Larger people have reported that they have been denied for a job opportunities based solely on their size, despite having the qualifications necessary to fill the position. One example of employment bias is when Whole Foods, a national chain, offered employees with a lower BMI a better employee discount. Additionally, health care professionals are more likely to advise an overweight person to lose weight no matter their medical condition as opposed to a thin person. Life and health insurance premiums negatively affect persons who are larger in weight and size, without knowing their medical history. Landlords and real estate agents use misconceptions of overweight people to deny access to housing opportunities. Pubic facilities and equipment like, turnstiles, stadium seats, hallways, armrests, and small bathrooms make places inaccessible and uncomfortable to larger people. Night clubs have denied entry based solely on looks, where overweight women were more likely to be overlooked and/or denied entry. THIS IS DISCRIMINATION. 

#NoMoreSizeism

In the US Federal anti-discrimination law a protected class is a characteristic of a person which cannot be targeted for discrimination or harassment.
Under the Federal law, the current protected classes are: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, veteran, family status, genetic information, age, citizenship, and pregnancy.

Obesity in America has doubled in the past 20 years, and is a very prevalent form of discrimination. Because of this I believe it is only fair for “overweight"/"oversized” people all over the country to have the same protective rights against discriminatory practices as the citizens in the entire State of Michigan and the six other US cities that already have these laws in place. (Santa Cruz, CA -San Francisco, CA -Madison, WI -Urbana, IL -Washington, DC -and Binghamton, NY). Therefore we must SIGN THIS PETITION TO GET LAWMAKERS (Local/State & Federal) TO INCLUDE WEIGHT/SIZE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OR CREATE SEPERATE FEDERAL LEGISLATION BASED ON WEIGHT/SIZE & SEEK INCLUSION IN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES OF MAJOR COORPORATION & INSTITUTIONS.

Thanks in advance to everyone who support this cause in the ever increasing fight to end SIZEISM & size discrimination in all its forms.