NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults wishes you and your loved ones best wishes for a wonderful new year. We look forward to the new year with much hope and enthusiasm. We have many exciting things planned for 2009. We invite you to join us in our efforts to support short statured people. God bless all short statured people and god bless the National Organization Of Short Statured Adults.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Happy New Year From NOSSA!!!
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults wishes you and your loved ones best wishes for a wonderful new year. We look forward to the new year with much hope and enthusiasm. We have many exciting things planned for 2009. We invite you to join us in our efforts to support short statured people. God bless all short statured people and god bless the National Organization Of Short Statured Adults.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
NOSSA Documentary in Pre-Production
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults is currently in pre-production for a new documentary about NOSSA and the issue of heightism in society. The documentary is expected to be released sometime in 2010. For more information, please visit www.nossaonline.org
Friday, November 28, 2008
Happy Holidays
The National Organization Of Short Statured Adults wishes you and your family a very safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. We truly have had another great year here at the organization. We have made so many new friends and we have strengthened our relationships with those who have remained loyal members since our start. Thank you for being a part of this worthy endeavor. God bless all short statured adults, especially the fine members of NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults. :)
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Thanksgiving Message
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for all of our blessings in life. We at NOSSA want to take this opportunity to give thanks to all of our members and supporters who have stood behind us. We hope that you have a very wonderful holiday season. We have some good things planned for 2009. We hope that you will continue to support us in our efforts to help short statured people. Cheers everyone!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
NOSSA Seeking Candidates For Board of Directors
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults is seeking candidates for positions on the Board of Directors. For more information please visit http://nossaonline.org/news/pressreleases.html
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Massachusetts Height/Weight Bill Withdrawn
Massachusetts H. 1844, An Act to Eliminate Discrimination on the Basis of Weight and Height, in Massachusetts sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing has been withdrawn by Representative Rushing. The bill may be re-introduced in the future. Please contact the Massachusetts Senators and Representatives and express your continued support for this law.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Height Discrimination in the Workplace
An example of the e-mails that NOSSA receives regarding height discrimination in the workplace:
I just wanted to write and say I agree with you totally. I am 28 and am only 5 foot tall. I too am mistaken for a child most of the time. I recently had a job as a poker dealer. When a new manager took over the poker room i was fired and given no real reason. When I asked for one, he said he had to cut down hours for labor costs. The next day however he hired two more people. That night at a bar three of my freinds were having a drink when the new boss came in and was talking about me. My freinds say that he said the following " anyone shorter than me should not be dealing poker". Height had nothing to do with that job. I had been dealing poker for nearly 5 years. I was good at it. I was never late, never missed a day of work, or called in sick. I always came in early when I was called to do so. Like you, i was wondering about my rights. I was disturbed when I found out height was not in the very list : "The civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination because of one's race, creed, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual preference, age or handicap." So the question is, What do I do now? It seems to me there is nothing I can do but tuck my tail, pack my things, and move to a new city to find a job. Why are there no rights for us? What, if anything, can we do about it?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Article Response
NOSSA Response to this article:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/claudia-winkleman/claudia-winkleman-take-it-from-me-800479.html
Dear Mrs Winkleman,
This letter is a response from the National Organisation of Short Statured Adults (NOSSA) to your article ‘Take It From Me’ of 26th March 2008.
You are, by any account, an extremely succesful person, holding a degree from one of the best universities in the world, with a glittering CV as a TV presenter, newspaper columnist and fundraiser. We would like to ask you to imagine, being as honest with yourself as is possible, that you had been born both short and male, and that you read an article in a respected newspaper claiming all of this success was proof you suffered from ‘short man syndrome’. You were driven solely by an inferiority complex regarding your height.
Of course, you are neither short nor male, so this accusation will never be a reality for you. Indeed, if it was, we know it would be false, as you would have achieved everything you have being a not particularly short female. But please imagine the frustration this would cause you; to have all of your achievements explained not by intelligence, ambition or decency, but by an inferiority complex you knew you didn’t have.
We would like to point out that Napoleon was in fact slightly above average height at the time, the myth being the result of enemy propaganda, which in itslef highlights the bigotry short men face; if you want to portray someone as ‘bad’, then ‘short’ is a good place to start. A column for a respected British newspaper should be much better researched than yours, expecially one with such an arrogant title; ‘Take It From Me’. You could at least get the facts right.
Your claim that Napoleon was known as ‘short arse’ to his friends is, it logically follows on, a complete fabrication of the truth. ‘Le petit caporal’ is the closest they came to calling him this, but ‘petit’ in this case does not literally mean ‘small’.
But lets assume you weren’t so horribly wrong, and that Napoleon had been short. You claim he suffered from ‘short man disorder’. We ask you, how could it ever be proven, 200 years after his death, that Napoleon acted in the way he did because he was short? Even if a short man does happen to be an aggressive type, this does not mean it is as a result of his height. How do you explain a tall man’s aggression? Genetics? Upbringing? Could these not also be true of a short man? Looked at another way, many tall male celebrities would be accused of having ‘short man syndrome’ had they happened to be short. But since they aren’t short, but still aggressive, we know it would be completely false.
You then acknowledge that the thoery ‘had been dismissed as recently as 2007, but a recent study shows that it’s a very real syndrome’. The study you dismiss concluded tall men are more aggressive, the one you use as evidence concluded short men are more jealous. We ask you which one is more relevant to the theory of ‘short man syndrome’? Surely the answer is obvious. The fact that you dismissed the study that debunked the theory, then go on to endorse the theory which ‘supports’ it (even though it deals with jealousy, not aggresion), shows a deep prejudice against short men. You surely cannot deny this charge.
The Wessex Growth Study is probably, scientifically speaking, the fairest study, as it controlled for factors such as gender and socioecnomic status, and it concluded that no personality functioning can be attributed to height. Please take a careful look at this. Surely your arrogance cannot extend to dismissing such research.
If you had written a similar article about a syndrome black or gay men suffered from, would you honestly expect to hold on to your job?
Finally, your teasing of Jamie Cullum is just plain childish. He, like you, got where he did through his own hard work. You may or may not be aware that he is a mere centimetre shorter than you are. Your claim that his ambition was motivated by an inferiority complex regarding his stature is disgusting and further demonstrates your bigotry. The laws of averages, which are obviously beyond you, suggest that every so often, short men will be succesful. As someone who wants to be seen as an honest children’s charity worker, please imagine how it would feel for a short, ambitious teenager to read your article. If you do have a conscience then surely you feel some regret.
Sincerely,
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults, Inc.
Church Street Station
PO Box 1187
New York, New York 10008-1187
United States Of America
1-888-NOSSA-EZ (1-888-667-7239)
Group email: membership@nossaonline.org
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/claudia-winkleman/claudia-winkleman-take-it-from-me-800479.html
Dear Mrs Winkleman,
This letter is a response from the National Organisation of Short Statured Adults (NOSSA) to your article ‘Take It From Me’ of 26th March 2008.
You are, by any account, an extremely succesful person, holding a degree from one of the best universities in the world, with a glittering CV as a TV presenter, newspaper columnist and fundraiser. We would like to ask you to imagine, being as honest with yourself as is possible, that you had been born both short and male, and that you read an article in a respected newspaper claiming all of this success was proof you suffered from ‘short man syndrome’. You were driven solely by an inferiority complex regarding your height.
Of course, you are neither short nor male, so this accusation will never be a reality for you. Indeed, if it was, we know it would be false, as you would have achieved everything you have being a not particularly short female. But please imagine the frustration this would cause you; to have all of your achievements explained not by intelligence, ambition or decency, but by an inferiority complex you knew you didn’t have.
We would like to point out that Napoleon was in fact slightly above average height at the time, the myth being the result of enemy propaganda, which in itslef highlights the bigotry short men face; if you want to portray someone as ‘bad’, then ‘short’ is a good place to start. A column for a respected British newspaper should be much better researched than yours, expecially one with such an arrogant title; ‘Take It From Me’. You could at least get the facts right.
Your claim that Napoleon was known as ‘short arse’ to his friends is, it logically follows on, a complete fabrication of the truth. ‘Le petit caporal’ is the closest they came to calling him this, but ‘petit’ in this case does not literally mean ‘small’.
But lets assume you weren’t so horribly wrong, and that Napoleon had been short. You claim he suffered from ‘short man disorder’. We ask you, how could it ever be proven, 200 years after his death, that Napoleon acted in the way he did because he was short? Even if a short man does happen to be an aggressive type, this does not mean it is as a result of his height. How do you explain a tall man’s aggression? Genetics? Upbringing? Could these not also be true of a short man? Looked at another way, many tall male celebrities would be accused of having ‘short man syndrome’ had they happened to be short. But since they aren’t short, but still aggressive, we know it would be completely false.
You then acknowledge that the thoery ‘had been dismissed as recently as 2007, but a recent study shows that it’s a very real syndrome’. The study you dismiss concluded tall men are more aggressive, the one you use as evidence concluded short men are more jealous. We ask you which one is more relevant to the theory of ‘short man syndrome’? Surely the answer is obvious. The fact that you dismissed the study that debunked the theory, then go on to endorse the theory which ‘supports’ it (even though it deals with jealousy, not aggresion), shows a deep prejudice against short men. You surely cannot deny this charge.
The Wessex Growth Study is probably, scientifically speaking, the fairest study, as it controlled for factors such as gender and socioecnomic status, and it concluded that no personality functioning can be attributed to height. Please take a careful look at this. Surely your arrogance cannot extend to dismissing such research.
If you had written a similar article about a syndrome black or gay men suffered from, would you honestly expect to hold on to your job?
Finally, your teasing of Jamie Cullum is just plain childish. He, like you, got where he did through his own hard work. You may or may not be aware that he is a mere centimetre shorter than you are. Your claim that his ambition was motivated by an inferiority complex regarding his stature is disgusting and further demonstrates your bigotry. The laws of averages, which are obviously beyond you, suggest that every so often, short men will be succesful. As someone who wants to be seen as an honest children’s charity worker, please imagine how it would feel for a short, ambitious teenager to read your article. If you do have a conscience then surely you feel some regret.
Sincerely,
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults, Inc.
Church Street Station
PO Box 1187
New York, New York 10008-1187
United States Of America
1-888-NOSSA-EZ (1-888-667-7239)
Group email: membership@nossaonline.org
Sunday, September 07, 2008
NOSSA Now Accepting Candidates For Board of Directors
NOSSA Voting Members interested in running for a position on the NOSSA Board of Directors may now send in their application for candidacy. For more information, NOSSA members may visit http://nossaonline.org/memberlogin/memberlogin.html
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Autoimmune Information Network (AIN).
It’s that time of year again and Steve and Mary are participating in the walkathon for the Autoimmune Information Network (AIN). As we’ve done in the past, Steve will be pushing Mary in her wheelchair. This year the event is on Sat. Sept. 13.
As you may know Mary has six autoimmune conditions. The first diagnosis was at age 4 ½. Her diagnoses spanned over 30 years and the last occurred just five months before our wedding. When we learned of this organization several years ago, we joined. Although we belong to several organizations which focus on a single type of condition which Mary has, AIN provides a refreshing perspective because it looks at autoimmune conditions from a broader view. If AIN had been around earlier, it's likely that Mary wouldn't have waited so long to be diagnosed with most of her conditions.
Last year on the walk, the organization put up signs with facts about autoimmune conditions along the way. We were shocked to learn that it takes an average of three years and 8 to 10 physicians to obtain the correct diagnosis. Mary’s experience has shown us how true this is. Her longest diagnosis took ten years. Years ago we lost count of the number of physicians involved.
Founded in 2003, AIN is run by a person with multiple autoimmune conditions and other volunteers. All its members and volunteers have autoimmune conditions or their family members do. There is no paid staff. The mission of AIN is to help patients and their families cope with the disabling effects of the 150+ known autoimmune diseases through education, public awareness and linking people with available programs and support groups. AIN has helped to obtain donated services for hundreds of autoimmune patients. These services would have cost over $1,849,600.
AIN helps direct patients and families to find medication assistance programs, with paperwork and applications, and even monetary resources if the need arises. It also helps people with autoimmune diseases find doctors that specialize in these diseases and obtain transportation to get to them. When needed, AIN serves as patient advocates. For more information, check out
www.aininc.org
AIN can be contacted directly by:
Mail at P.O. Box 4121, Brick, N.J. 08723
Phone at (732)262-0450 or (877)AIN-4900 (Toll Free)
Fax (732)262-0452
E-mail autoimmunehelp@aol.com
We are grateful for anything you can do. As we say at AIN, no donation is too small. Also if you know of anyone who may be helped by this organization, please give them the contact information.
Love,
Mary & Steve
PS – We’re also putting together a team to walk and/or fundraise. If you’re interested in this, please let us know.
As you may know Mary has six autoimmune conditions. The first diagnosis was at age 4 ½. Her diagnoses spanned over 30 years and the last occurred just five months before our wedding. When we learned of this organization several years ago, we joined. Although we belong to several organizations which focus on a single type of condition which Mary has, AIN provides a refreshing perspective because it looks at autoimmune conditions from a broader view. If AIN had been around earlier, it's likely that Mary wouldn't have waited so long to be diagnosed with most of her conditions.
Last year on the walk, the organization put up signs with facts about autoimmune conditions along the way. We were shocked to learn that it takes an average of three years and 8 to 10 physicians to obtain the correct diagnosis. Mary’s experience has shown us how true this is. Her longest diagnosis took ten years. Years ago we lost count of the number of physicians involved.
Founded in 2003, AIN is run by a person with multiple autoimmune conditions and other volunteers. All its members and volunteers have autoimmune conditions or their family members do. There is no paid staff. The mission of AIN is to help patients and their families cope with the disabling effects of the 150+ known autoimmune diseases through education, public awareness and linking people with available programs and support groups. AIN has helped to obtain donated services for hundreds of autoimmune patients. These services would have cost over $1,849,600.
AIN helps direct patients and families to find medication assistance programs, with paperwork and applications, and even monetary resources if the need arises. It also helps people with autoimmune diseases find doctors that specialize in these diseases and obtain transportation to get to them. When needed, AIN serves as patient advocates. For more information, check out
www.aininc.org
AIN can be contacted directly by:
Mail at P.O. Box 4121, Brick, N.J. 08723
Phone at (732)262-0450 or (877)AIN-4900 (Toll Free)
Fax (732)262-0452
E-mail autoimmunehelp@aol.com
We are grateful for anything you can do. As we say at AIN, no donation is too small. Also if you know of anyone who may be helped by this organization, please give them the contact information.
Love,
Mary & Steve
PS – We’re also putting together a team to walk and/or fundraise. If you’re interested in this, please let us know.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Subconscious Bias
Two men are having a casual conversation. One is 22 years old, attractive, lean and stands about 6 foot 4 inches tall. The other is in his thirties, not-so-attractive, medium build and stands about 5 foot 5 inches tall. The topic of physical appearance comes up and the tall man proclaims matter of factly, "You can be dumb as a bag of rocks, but if you look good on the outside, people are going to take you seriously and respect you." The short man sighs. Not less than 10 minutes later the two men are met by their colleagues. All conversation is directed at the tall man and the short man is completely ignored.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
S&M:Short & Male Documentary
With the recent debut of S&M: Short & Male Documentary on CTV in Canada, NOSSA has received an influx of feedback via e-mail. We are happy to report that the vast majority of this e-mail is positive and extremely supportive of The National Organization Of Short Statured Adults. We want to thank the good people who took the time to contact us and express their support for what we are doing here at NOSSA. Your support means alot to us! To join us, go to http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Think About It
Howard Goldberg (the director of the movie Short & Male) made a powerful statement while promoting his film when he said,
"I mean, I say in the film that the worst thing you can do is think about being short. But I also wonder if the worst thing you can do is not think about it."
What do you think about this statement?
"I mean, I say in the film that the worst thing you can do is think about being short. But I also wonder if the worst thing you can do is not think about it."
What do you think about this statement?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Tell us what you think
Do you have something to say about the issue of heightism? Why not leave us a message and share it with us? You can be completely anonymous. Call us at 1-888-NOSSA-EZ and tell us what you think. If your comment is good, we may include it in one of our podcasts.
The same goes for video comments. If you have a webcam, leave us a video message through our blipback widget at www.myspace.com/nossaonline
Would you like to be interviewed on our podcasts? Call us at 1-888-NOSSA-EZ for more information.
We are also looking to produce your audio or video podcast! Contact us for more information...
www.nossaonline.org
Join in on our online discussions at forums.nossaonline.org
The same goes for video comments. If you have a webcam, leave us a video message through our blipback widget at www.myspace.com/nossaonline
Would you like to be interviewed on our podcasts? Call us at 1-888-NOSSA-EZ for more information.
We are also looking to produce your audio or video podcast! Contact us for more information...
www.nossaonline.org
Join in on our online discussions at forums.nossaonline.org
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Benefits of NOSSA Membership
Benefits of NOSSA Membership
• Promote the acceptance of short stature in society by your membership in NOSSA.
• Join Together to support short statured people and unite to oppose all forms of heightism.
• Support in times of trouble with our legal assistance program.
• Social networking through our social events.
• Attend our life changing seminars.
• Unite to oppose the use of cosmetic human growth hormone for short but otherwise healthy kids.
• Unite to assist children and young adults struggling with heightism.
• Join our media watch-dog group to monitor heightism in the media and address it.
• Support responsible heightism related research.
• Join in on the heightism discussions.
• Attend our annual convention.
• E-mail and telephone support when needed.
• Opportunity to vote on group issues and serve as a leader in the organization.
• Annual College Scholarship award.
• Special discounts on approved products and services from generous friends of the organization.
• Emergency Assistance program for members in need of food, shelter, or crisis intervention.
• Job Referall Assistance.
• Free Copy of the outstanding book, Beyond Measure by Ellen Frankel.
• You will bring more attention to the specific needs of short statured adults with your membership in NOSSA.
We are a group of dedicated people committed to helping each other and to spreading the message that there is absolutely nothing "wrong" with being short.
To join NOSSA go to http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
• Promote the acceptance of short stature in society by your membership in NOSSA.
• Join Together to support short statured people and unite to oppose all forms of heightism.
• Support in times of trouble with our legal assistance program.
• Social networking through our social events.
• Attend our life changing seminars.
• Unite to oppose the use of cosmetic human growth hormone for short but otherwise healthy kids.
• Unite to assist children and young adults struggling with heightism.
• Join our media watch-dog group to monitor heightism in the media and address it.
• Support responsible heightism related research.
• Join in on the heightism discussions.
• Attend our annual convention.
• E-mail and telephone support when needed.
• Opportunity to vote on group issues and serve as a leader in the organization.
• Annual College Scholarship award.
• Special discounts on approved products and services from generous friends of the organization.
• Emergency Assistance program for members in need of food, shelter, or crisis intervention.
• Job Referall Assistance.
• Free Copy of the outstanding book, Beyond Measure by Ellen Frankel.
• You will bring more attention to the specific needs of short statured adults with your membership in NOSSA.
We are a group of dedicated people committed to helping each other and to spreading the message that there is absolutely nothing "wrong" with being short.
To join NOSSA go to http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008
Standing Tall Against Discrimination Podcast
The Standing Tall Against Discrimination podcast series will resume within the next month or two. We plan on having discussions with several special guests. Our episode on self-esteem will be released next. In the meantime, please visit http://mattfromnossa.libsyn.com and check out past episodes as well as David Beach's Low Down podcast!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Bravo to Chris Hamre & Ellen Frankel for their testimony!
Bravo to NOSSA Vice-President Chris Hamre & Advisor Ellen Frankel for their participation in today's hearing in Boston, Massachusetts on behalf of Byron Rushing's height/weight bill. Great job! Special Thanks to Representative Byron Rushing and his staff and to all the members of NAAFA!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Chris Hamre To Testify Before Committee on Labor & Workforce Development
NOSSA Vice-President Christopher Hamre will testify before the Massachusetts Committee on Labor & Workforce Development in support of H. 1844, a bill to eliminate height and weight discrimination. The event will take place Tuesday March 25, 2008 in Boston.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
NOSSA Annual Convention
The First Annual NOSSA Convention of the members is set for this Fall in New Jersey. The convention will consist of the Board of Directors/Membership meeting and dinner/social event. Each attendee may purchase their own dinner. Other than that, no other costs are involved for attendance. Only NOSSA members and special guests approved by the Board may attend this event. Attendees must pre-register for this event. To register, send an e-mail to membership@nossaonline.org For the latest info on the convention, please visit http://nossaonline.org/meetingevents/annualconvention.html
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Height/Weight Bill in Mass. Take Action Now!!!
Now is the opportunity to fight for a bill in Massachussets which will make it illegal to discriminate against people on the basis of height and weight. On March 25, 2008, the Committee on labor and workforce development will be voting on this bill. Contact the members and tell them that you support this bill. For contact information go to http://forums.nossaonline.org/showthread.php?t=142
Thursday, March 06, 2008
New Blog from NOSSA Chairman
NOSSA Chairman Matthew Campisi now has his own blog at www.matthewcampisi.com If you have a free moment, please check it out...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Clearwater, FL Meeting Sunday March 9th
Next Sunday March 9, 2008 NOSSA will be hosting a meeting in Clearwater, Florida from 1:30PM-4:30PM (EST). Details below. Contact us here for more information.
Clearwater Main Public Library - meeting room a/b
100 North Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 33755
1:30PM-4:30PM (EST)
No fees of any kind and this will be open to the public. You do NOT have to be a NOSSA member to attend.
Clearwater Main Public Library - meeting room a/b
100 North Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 33755
1:30PM-4:30PM (EST)
No fees of any kind and this will be open to the public. You do NOT have to be a NOSSA member to attend.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
NOSSA Introduces, The Low Down Podcast with David Beach
The Low Down with host David Beach - Fun, informative, and intriguing show from Pasadena, California.For more information visit http://lowdownpodcast.blogspot.com Listen at http://mattfromnossa.libsyn.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
NOSSA Set To Announce Info On Annual Convention
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults will soon be announcing details on the 2008 Annual Convention of the membership. "We are all very excited about hosting our first annual convention this year." states Matthew Campisi, NOSSA President. The convention is for members and special guests of NOSSA and is expected to be held in the Fall. Contact NOSSA here for more information.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Standing Tall Against Discrimination Podcast - Episode 8 - Self-Esteem Released
NOSSA has released Standing Tall Against Discrimination, Episode 8 - A discussion about self-esteem. How to accept and love yourself, just as you are. Special guest: Diane Sardanopoli (Licensed Mental Health Counselor). To listen go to
http://mattfromnossa.libsyn.com
http://mattfromnossa.libsyn.com
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
MA Height and Weight bill--hearing and legislative briefing
Hello All:
Thank you for your ongoing support and advocacy for H. 1844, An Act to Eliminate Discrimination on the Basis of Weight and Height, in Massachusetts sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing.
I am writing to let you know that we have a hearing date for the bill: March 25, 2008.Please contact me individually if you are interested in testifying before the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and/or organizing others to testify and speak to legislators following the hearing.
In addition, we would like to organize an informational briefing for legislators and staff about what the bill will do and the need for the legal protections it seeks to provide prior to the hearing. Ideally, we would like a panel of 4-5 experts to speak about the legal aspects of the bill, what is being done in other jurisdictions, related medical and scientific data, and employment discrimination experienced by individuals based upon height and/or weight. We would like to hold this briefing at the MA State House the week of March 10. We can arrange a specific date based upon the availability of those willing to attend.
Please contact me if you would like to continue to work with us on this important legislation!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Fay
Fay Sliger
Deputy Chief of Staff
Second Assistant Majority Leader
Representative Byron Rushing
State House Room 481
Boston, MA 02133
p-617.722.2180
f-617.722.2881
Thank you for your ongoing support and advocacy for H. 1844, An Act to Eliminate Discrimination on the Basis of Weight and Height, in Massachusetts sponsored by Rep. Byron Rushing.
I am writing to let you know that we have a hearing date for the bill: March 25, 2008.Please contact me individually if you are interested in testifying before the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and/or organizing others to testify and speak to legislators following the hearing.
In addition, we would like to organize an informational briefing for legislators and staff about what the bill will do and the need for the legal protections it seeks to provide prior to the hearing. Ideally, we would like a panel of 4-5 experts to speak about the legal aspects of the bill, what is being done in other jurisdictions, related medical and scientific data, and employment discrimination experienced by individuals based upon height and/or weight. We would like to hold this briefing at the MA State House the week of March 10. We can arrange a specific date based upon the availability of those willing to attend.
Please contact me if you would like to continue to work with us on this important legislation!
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Fay
Fay Sliger
Deputy Chief of Staff
Second Assistant Majority Leader
Representative Byron Rushing
State House Room 481
Boston, MA 02133
p-617.722.2180
f-617.722.2881
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Martin Luther King Jr.
Racism, the belief that one race is supreme and all others are inately inferior will never be completly eradicated. Neither will heightism.I understand how some african-americans or other groups could take offense to our comparing our struggles with theirs, in that we were never enslaved or subject to mass genocide because of heightism prejudice.
But we still face prejudice and discrimination and what makes it worse for us is that few people are willing to acknowledge it. Whereas it is generally acknowledged that others have faced and still do face "real" discrimination and something ought to be done to stop it.
I would personally prefer to live in a world were no human being ever had to endure the pain of prejudice and discrimination of any kind. I don't think it helps our cause to point out who suffers more. We should simply acknowledge that we all face different degrees of this awful human behavior. I believe that we should ultimately work towards eliminating ALL prejudice regardless of who it is directed at. To not do so is the height of hypocrisy and foolishness.
- Matthew Campisi
President
NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults
Sunday, January 13, 2008
NOSSA Appoints New Secretary to Board
The Board of Directors of NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults has appointed Brian Peterson to serve as Secretary (Special Trustee). Brian is committed to helping short statured people. We want to welcome Brian to the Board and we Thank him for his willingness to serve.
NOSSA Forums
NOSSA Forums will be located at http://forums.nossaonline.org Please stop by, register, and contribute to the ongoing discussions. This will be a great way for you to share your thoughts about the issues faced by short statured people.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Chris Hamre Awarded Activist of the Year 2008
NOSSA Vice-President Christopher Hamre has been awarded the heightism activist of the year award for 2008.Mr. Hamre's tireless efforts to address heightism deserve special recognition and praise. Way to go Chris! Previous winners have included Steven Goldsmith in 2006 for his www.shortsupport.org website and Representative Byron Rushing in 2007 for his proposed height/weight legislation in Massachussets.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2008
Hi everyone!
Well, another year has come and gone and now we are in 2008. It was a good year for NOSSA in 2007. But we must now turn our attention to the new year and press forward with our efforts to combat this heightism prejudice and support our fellow short statured brothers and sisters. We will be launching the new messageboard on or around January 21, 2008 at http://forums.nossaonline.org The forum will be a great way for our members and general public to contribute to the on-going heightism discussion. We will also be hosting a heightism seminar on March 9, 2008 in Clearwater, Florida. For more information on attending please click here. The podcasts will resume soon and we will be tackling new topics and featuring some very special guests. Click here for the podcast link. We hope to end our year with a bang at our first annual convention in New York. For more info on this click here. There has never been a better time than right now to join our group and take a firm stand against heightism. To join us go to http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
Well, another year has come and gone and now we are in 2008. It was a good year for NOSSA in 2007. But we must now turn our attention to the new year and press forward with our efforts to combat this heightism prejudice and support our fellow short statured brothers and sisters. We will be launching the new messageboard on or around January 21, 2008 at http://forums.nossaonline.org The forum will be a great way for our members and general public to contribute to the on-going heightism discussion. We will also be hosting a heightism seminar on March 9, 2008 in Clearwater, Florida. For more information on attending please click here. The podcasts will resume soon and we will be tackling new topics and featuring some very special guests. Click here for the podcast link. We hope to end our year with a bang at our first annual convention in New York. For more info on this click here. There has never been a better time than right now to join our group and take a firm stand against heightism. To join us go to http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
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