Recently, a study was conducted by the Toronto Center for Addiction and Health, which suggested that shorter men were more prone to pedophilia than were taller men. The study cited the fact that adverse conditions inside the mother's womb, which may lead to underdevelopment, can contribute to short stature and some psychological issues. This led to the assumption that a shorter man can have an attraction to children. Here is a link to an article from the Toronto Star:
http://www.thestar.com/article/269404
NOSSA questions the validity of this study and wonders what purpose it is serving by releasing this information. Even if it is flawed, or skewed, it can still cause people to view us shorter people, especially men, with more cynicism than they already do. This story is inflammatory and could potentially lead to physical harm against short men who are otherwise innocent.
We are not going to question that fact that poor prenatal care, or irrresponsible mothering while a child is inside the womb, leads to poorer health down the road. However, to go as far as equating those issues with a propensity to commit heinous sexual acts against a child is preposterous and irresponsible!
It's bad enough that we are viewed as less intelligent than someone taller, seen as childish and immature, and unfairly labeled with a "Napoleon Complex" if we dare to be ambitious or outspoken; now we may have to deal with the stigma of pedophilia. Any other group would be outraged with this and NOSSA is no exception!
We do hope that all media types will address this particular issue immediately and not print or air the results of this fallacious and hurtful study.
I would like to thank Toronto Star reporter Lynda Hurst for her attention to this matter and giving us the opportunity to have our voices heard.
-Chris Hamre
Vice-President, NOSSA
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Shorter People Have A 'Chip On Their Shoulder' Which Makes Them Unhealthy?
Those not blessed with height are often accused of having a chip on their shoulder.
Now a study has found that they might, in fact, have an unhealthy attitude to life.
Short men and women apparently complain of poorer mental and physical health than those of an average height.
Researchers examined more than 14,000 responses to the 2003 Health Survey for England.
The subjects had given details of their height, weight, age, gender, long-standing illness and social class.
They were then asked to rate their health on a range of indicators such as mobility, pain and depression.
Those in the shortest height category - men shorter than 5ft 4in and women shorter than 5ft - reported much poorer health, according to the report in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.
The survey did not ascertain how healthy they actually were, just how well they thought they were.
Lead researcher Dr Torsten Christensen said: "Using this large and nationally representative sample of the UK population, we found shorter people report that they experience lower physical and mental well-being than taller people do.
"Our results also indicate that the shorter someone is, the stronger this relationship becomes."
She added that an increase in height of one inch would have a positive impact on the healthrelated quality of life of a short person, whereas the effect of an extra inch would be negligible for a person of normal height.
Dr Christensen found that short people would have a 6 per cent higher health rating if they were around three inches taller.
This is the equivalent to the health benefit experienced by an obese person losing two and a half stones.
Dr Christensen, of Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk, added: "We know that people who are short experience more difficulties in areas of their life such as education, employment and relationships than people of a normal height.
"Although our study does not show that short height directly causes a reduction in physical and mental health, it does indicate that short people are more likely to feel that they experience a lower healthrelated quality of life."
She added: "Further research is now needed to clarify the precise relationship between changes in height and health-related quality of life."
Short height in adult life can either be due to normal development or can be caused by a number of diseases such as growth hormone deficiency and Turner syndrome.
Treatment with growth hormone for children with these conditions can increase their final height by as much as four inches.
The study shows that these height increases could have a huge positive effect on a person's mental wellbeing once they grow up.
Well, there you have it people. The solution to heightism is to be taller. So I suppose the solution to racism is to be caucasion; solution to sexism is to be male; solution to weightism is to be skinny; solution to extreme tall heightism is to be average height; solution to gay prejudice is to be straight; solution to religous discrimination is to worship whatever religion is norm....etc. etc.
Now a study has found that they might, in fact, have an unhealthy attitude to life.
Short men and women apparently complain of poorer mental and physical health than those of an average height.
Researchers examined more than 14,000 responses to the 2003 Health Survey for England.
The subjects had given details of their height, weight, age, gender, long-standing illness and social class.
They were then asked to rate their health on a range of indicators such as mobility, pain and depression.
Those in the shortest height category - men shorter than 5ft 4in and women shorter than 5ft - reported much poorer health, according to the report in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.
The survey did not ascertain how healthy they actually were, just how well they thought they were.
Lead researcher Dr Torsten Christensen said: "Using this large and nationally representative sample of the UK population, we found shorter people report that they experience lower physical and mental well-being than taller people do.
"Our results also indicate that the shorter someone is, the stronger this relationship becomes."
She added that an increase in height of one inch would have a positive impact on the healthrelated quality of life of a short person, whereas the effect of an extra inch would be negligible for a person of normal height.
Dr Christensen found that short people would have a 6 per cent higher health rating if they were around three inches taller.
This is the equivalent to the health benefit experienced by an obese person losing two and a half stones.
Dr Christensen, of Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk, added: "We know that people who are short experience more difficulties in areas of their life such as education, employment and relationships than people of a normal height.
"Although our study does not show that short height directly causes a reduction in physical and mental health, it does indicate that short people are more likely to feel that they experience a lower healthrelated quality of life."
She added: "Further research is now needed to clarify the precise relationship between changes in height and health-related quality of life."
Short height in adult life can either be due to normal development or can be caused by a number of diseases such as growth hormone deficiency and Turner syndrome.
Treatment with growth hormone for children with these conditions can increase their final height by as much as four inches.
The study shows that these height increases could have a huge positive effect on a person's mental wellbeing once they grow up.
Well, there you have it people. The solution to heightism is to be taller. So I suppose the solution to racism is to be caucasion; solution to sexism is to be male; solution to weightism is to be skinny; solution to extreme tall heightism is to be average height; solution to gay prejudice is to be straight; solution to religous discrimination is to worship whatever religion is norm....etc. etc.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
T-shirts of our own.
Show your support for NOSSA, National Organization Of Short Statured Adults by purchasing one of our t-shirts at http://www.cafepress.com/nossa Be proud of who you are and show everyone that you support your fellow short statured brothers and sisters. Proceeds go directly towards the fight against heightism.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
NOSSA Calls For Boycott Of Zazzle.com
The National Organization Of Short Statured Adults is encouraging people to both boycott the website www.zazzle.com and also for everyone to send a letter of complaint regarding the following T-shirt at http://www.zazzle.com/short_men_suck_shirt-235262457846832634
Contact Zazzle.com at:
Zazzle.com
1900 Seaport Blvd. 4th floor Redwood City, CA 94063
Telephone: Toll-Free - 1-800-980-9890.
or 650-872-8000
email: domains@zazzle.com
Contact Zazzle.com at:
Zazzle.com
1900 Seaport Blvd. 4th floor Redwood City, CA 94063
Telephone: Toll-Free - 1-800-980-9890.
or 650-872-8000
email: domains@zazzle.com
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Zazzle.com refuses to remove heightist T-shirt
The owners of zazzle.com have refused to remove a heightist t-shirt from their website despite repeated requests from numerous people who filed complaints with the website. zazzle.com has removed all of the negative comments from the website displaying the shirt in an attempt to silence the protest. We encourage everyone who reads this to contact zazzle.com and express your outrage directly. http://www.zazzle.com/short_men_suck_shirt-235262457846832634 Contact: Zazzle.com 1900 Seaport Blvd. 4th floor Rewood City, CA 94063 (phone) 650-872-8000 (email) domains@zazzle.com
Saturday, September 08, 2007
NOSSA To Appear On NPR
NOSSA Vice-President Chris Hamre will be a guest on National Public Radio. Chris will be discussing the issue of heightism. For the latest news on air dates visit http://nossaonline.org/news.html
Sunday, August 26, 2007
NPR Article Citing Taller Discrimination In Sports
On August 15th, 2007, Frank Deford, a contributor to Morning Editon on National Public Radio and an acclaimed sportwriter, wrote the following piece:
Click Here.
After reading this article, I was confused. Let me first begin at the end of the article. Mr. Deford claims that, apparently, it is their (their being the taller..he is 6'4") ordained right to rule and they are so good at it. This came on the heels of his complaining that the shorter guys are ruling and that there is "gross discrimination" against the taller in sports among the coaching ranks.. What?
I am willing to bet that guys who are shorter coaches, like Lawrence Frank, coach of the Nets, probably had to work a lot harder than a taller coach just to get where he is. Perhaps Mr.Deford should be giving them credit instead of crying foul that a taller coach isn't in that positon. Perhaps that sense of entitlement mentality that Mr. Deford is exhibiting is widespread among the taller and that may make them more lackadasical in their approach. Could you imagine if he had stated that "white men should rule because it is their ordained right to do so."? What a statement of lunacy! People should rule as a reward for their hard work not by their appearance.
Now, let's address the "gross discrimination" issue. Can Mr. Deford honestly claim that their is discrimnation against the tall in sports. You have to be kidding! How many short guys are given a chance in the four major sports? You can probably count them on your ten fingers! Any QBs under 6'0"? If you are under that size in any one of the major sports, you are "undersized" or "small". Mr. Deford is right, there is "gross discrimination" in sports but not against the taller...please!
He states, earlier in his rant that because we are shorter, we are losing to other countries in basketball, then later says that the guards are as tall as the centers were twenty years ago. So, which is it Mr. Deford, are we getting taller or shorter, I am confused? I am quite certain that our last Olympic team was the tallest team of any in the Olympics. Yet, the gold medalists were from Argentina, are they taller than we? Once again, Mr. Deford doesn't point to the real problem.
These guys now don't work as hard as the "Dream Team" of 1992. They have a sense of entitlement and think it's their right to be there. That is the problem with many of these pro athletes nowadays. Of course the shorter ones can't act that way, they have to work their asses off to prove themselves every day or they will lose their position to a taller, lazier individual.
- Chris Hamre
Click Here.
After reading this article, I was confused. Let me first begin at the end of the article. Mr. Deford claims that, apparently, it is their (their being the taller..he is 6'4") ordained right to rule and they are so good at it. This came on the heels of his complaining that the shorter guys are ruling and that there is "gross discrimination" against the taller in sports among the coaching ranks.. What?
I am willing to bet that guys who are shorter coaches, like Lawrence Frank, coach of the Nets, probably had to work a lot harder than a taller coach just to get where he is. Perhaps Mr.Deford should be giving them credit instead of crying foul that a taller coach isn't in that positon. Perhaps that sense of entitlement mentality that Mr. Deford is exhibiting is widespread among the taller and that may make them more lackadasical in their approach. Could you imagine if he had stated that "white men should rule because it is their ordained right to do so."? What a statement of lunacy! People should rule as a reward for their hard work not by their appearance.
Now, let's address the "gross discrimination" issue. Can Mr. Deford honestly claim that their is discrimnation against the tall in sports. You have to be kidding! How many short guys are given a chance in the four major sports? You can probably count them on your ten fingers! Any QBs under 6'0"? If you are under that size in any one of the major sports, you are "undersized" or "small". Mr. Deford is right, there is "gross discrimination" in sports but not against the taller...please!
He states, earlier in his rant that because we are shorter, we are losing to other countries in basketball, then later says that the guards are as tall as the centers were twenty years ago. So, which is it Mr. Deford, are we getting taller or shorter, I am confused? I am quite certain that our last Olympic team was the tallest team of any in the Olympics. Yet, the gold medalists were from Argentina, are they taller than we? Once again, Mr. Deford doesn't point to the real problem.
These guys now don't work as hard as the "Dream Team" of 1992. They have a sense of entitlement and think it's their right to be there. That is the problem with many of these pro athletes nowadays. Of course the shorter ones can't act that way, they have to work their asses off to prove themselves every day or they will lose their position to a taller, lazier individual.
- Chris Hamre
Strength
Several months ago, I stumbled upon a blog which was criticizing our organization for discussing the issue of heightism. The poster accused us of being "wimps" and said that we all needed to have "our asses kicked". Apparently, this individual felt that only a wimp would complain about being picked on because of their height and he was tired of hearing about it.
I see it very differently. For me, only a man or woman of great bravery and strength would be capable of standing up before the world and declaring heightism to be wrong and demanding something be done about it. A coward is one who is too afraid to stand up against considerable opposition. This poster knows heightism is wrong. He knows that it hurts good people. Yet he favors an approach that emphasizes keeping your mouth shut and taking it "like a man". An easy way out that hurts only the one who refuses to do anything.
Instead, we at NOSSA choose to continue to stand up for short statured people, wherever and whenever they are faced with heightism. And in doing so, we will clearly show the measure of our bravery and strength.
Our latest podcast will address the issue of bullying. We will be talking with Guests: Chris Hamre & Steve Goldsmith. To listen go to: Standing Tall Against Discrimination!
I see it very differently. For me, only a man or woman of great bravery and strength would be capable of standing up before the world and declaring heightism to be wrong and demanding something be done about it. A coward is one who is too afraid to stand up against considerable opposition. This poster knows heightism is wrong. He knows that it hurts good people. Yet he favors an approach that emphasizes keeping your mouth shut and taking it "like a man". An easy way out that hurts only the one who refuses to do anything.
Instead, we at NOSSA choose to continue to stand up for short statured people, wherever and whenever they are faced with heightism. And in doing so, we will clearly show the measure of our bravery and strength.
Our latest podcast will address the issue of bullying. We will be talking with Guests: Chris Hamre & Steve Goldsmith. To listen go to: Standing Tall Against Discrimination!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Words Worth Repeating
I come across many excellent posts by members of our message forums at http://heightism.aimoo.com Recently, I came across this message on the website. I couldn't help but smile when I read it. I think this member's words are worth repeating. And to this member I say, Thank You!
"I feel the same way at times in public places,...I almost feel like people are staring or something,...but it doesn't bother me really I just go about my day and keep my head up. You never know though sometimes you might get stares because somebody thinks your attractive. It's happened more times than I can count and I would never have noticed unless someone of the opposite sex brought it to my attention. Sometimes it's all in our heads and other times people are really being bigots. I kinda like being the shortest guy in public or social situations because it makes me stand out and be unique. We gotta be positive guys sometimes people get bored with all same flavors of ice cream,....well the same can be true with relationships and social settings. I believe it's a virtuous thing to be a black sheep and proud that I'm not like anyone else. I would really love all the people that are taller than us to try to be unique and original,.....that might actually take some effort,.....and it would probabably involve taking those silver spoons out of there mouths just because they are taller,....but hey if they want to be bigots than forget them because wars are won by winning one battle at a time and we are a growing force and others who are like us and others who aren't are beginning to support us and recongnize that we are not that different and we deserve to be treated as equals. This war against heightism will be won one battle and one mind at a time but it will be won and our number will eventually multiply expotentially."
"I feel the same way at times in public places,...I almost feel like people are staring or something,...but it doesn't bother me really I just go about my day and keep my head up. You never know though sometimes you might get stares because somebody thinks your attractive. It's happened more times than I can count and I would never have noticed unless someone of the opposite sex brought it to my attention. Sometimes it's all in our heads and other times people are really being bigots. I kinda like being the shortest guy in public or social situations because it makes me stand out and be unique. We gotta be positive guys sometimes people get bored with all same flavors of ice cream,....well the same can be true with relationships and social settings. I believe it's a virtuous thing to be a black sheep and proud that I'm not like anyone else. I would really love all the people that are taller than us to try to be unique and original,.....that might actually take some effort,.....and it would probabably involve taking those silver spoons out of there mouths just because they are taller,....but hey if they want to be bigots than forget them because wars are won by winning one battle at a time and we are a growing force and others who are like us and others who aren't are beginning to support us and recongnize that we are not that different and we deserve to be treated as equals. This war against heightism will be won one battle and one mind at a time but it will be won and our number will eventually multiply expotentially."
Friday, August 10, 2007
Zazzle.com Offers Heightist T-Shirt For Sale.
The website Zazzle.com is offering a heightist T-shirt for sale. The shirt, created by Angela from Sarasota, Florida reads, "Short Men Suck" To view the website click here. NOSSA has made contact with Zazzle.com and hopes that the site's owners will remove the offensive shirt from their website. Until such time as that is done, NOSSA encourages everyone to contact the website directly and express their disgust.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Insults Are Acceptable?
Our organization, the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, wishes to make a formal statement with regards to an insult made by Mr. Barry Bonds. directed at Bob Costas. After viewing an episode of "Costas Now" on Wednesday (07/25), Mr Bonds responded to remarks made by Curt Schilling and Patrick Arnold, as well as Mr Costas, by referring to Mr Costas as a "little midget man who knows nothing about baseball."
While Mr Costas apparently didn't take too much offense by it but responded to Mr Bonds in kind, NOSSA finds the comment made by Mr. Bonds inappropriate and offensive. We at NOSSA are fed up with the public insults and in our quest for equaity demand an apology from Mr. Bonds at the minumum. Insulting another minority would at least warrant an apology, if not a suspension. They wouldn't have to put up with it, so why should we?
Respectfully,
Christopher A. Hamre
Vice President
NOSSA
Comment by Chairman Campisi:
It seems perfectly acceptable in our society to disrespect people because they are shorter than others. You are absolutely right Chris. Had this athlete made a similar comment about a man's race, religion, or even sexuality, there likely would have been fierce outrage and public condemnation of the remarks. Heightism remains the ignored prejudice.
While Mr Costas apparently didn't take too much offense by it but responded to Mr Bonds in kind, NOSSA finds the comment made by Mr. Bonds inappropriate and offensive. We at NOSSA are fed up with the public insults and in our quest for equaity demand an apology from Mr. Bonds at the minumum. Insulting another minority would at least warrant an apology, if not a suspension. They wouldn't have to put up with it, so why should we?
Respectfully,
Christopher A. Hamre
Vice President
NOSSA
Comment by Chairman Campisi:
It seems perfectly acceptable in our society to disrespect people because they are shorter than others. You are absolutely right Chris. Had this athlete made a similar comment about a man's race, religion, or even sexuality, there likely would have been fierce outrage and public condemnation of the remarks. Heightism remains the ignored prejudice.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
`Little runt' grew up to become a champion
When Fremont Coach Bobby Soto saw Boris Novachkov for the first time in 2003, the Bulgarian native weighed 85 pounds dripping wet.
But Soto could see that the slender youngster was one of the most naturally gifted wrestlers he had ever encountered.
Four years and 40 pounds later, Novachkov is graduating from Fremont High as the most decorated wrestler in school history, with two state championships under his belt and a scholarship to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in hand.
"He was a little runt when he first came to the room," Soto said with a laugh. "We joked that I used to be able to control him with my index finger. Now I have to give everything I have and use my whole body."
Novachkov was a national freestyle champion in Bulgaria before moving to Sunnyvale in 2003 with his parents and older brother Filip, the 2005 Mercury News wrestler of the year who won a state title in 2006 and is on scholarship at Cal-Poly SLO.
But as a freshman, Boris was too light and didn't earn a spot on the varsity because Filip wrestled at 103 pounds.
"We teased him, saying he went from Bulgarian national champion to a junior-varsity league champion when he came to America," said Soto, who coaches Fremont with Erik Duus.
But the teasing didn't last long. In summer 2005, Boris won national junior titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman.
"It was a little frustrating not being able to compete as a freshman, and everyone joked with me about it," Novachkov said.
"But when I won those national titles, I knew my time would come."
He followed that by cruising to the CIF state title at 103 pounds, the same year Filip won at 119 and teammate Greg Crane won at 160.
"That was my best memory - it was special because we all won it together," Boris said.
When Novachkov moved up three weight classes to 125 pounds for his senior season, some thought he wouldn't have the strength to compete there. But he dispelled those notions in December by winning the Walsh Ironman Invitational in Ohio, considered one of the toughest tournaments in the nation.
"I want to win at everything I do, whether I'm running or wrestling or playing any sport," Novachkov said. "I just don't like the feeling of losing."
He defeated Los Gatos' Naveed Bagheri 8-1 for his second consecutive Central Coast Section title, then rolled through the competition at the state meet, beating Freedom's David Prado 7-1 to win the title.
"Boris' balance is amazing, and he knows how to use hips so well, he is never in a bad position," Bagheri said. "I learned something and came out better for it every time I wrestled him."
Now Novachkov is embarking on a new phase of his wrestling career, and many think the sky is the limit.
"Boris wins because of his mentality - he has goals that are far beyond those of regular high school kids," Soto said. "He has Olympic aspirations - he is looking at the highest accomplishment you can make in wrestling."
First he will work toward his goal of winning at Cal Poly.
"Boris is so technically advanced, nobody can really do anything against him," Cal Poly Coach John Azevedo said. "He'll need to get used to the physical nature of college wrestling, but I think both he and Filip can become NCAA champions. They are going to make an impact"
But Soto could see that the slender youngster was one of the most naturally gifted wrestlers he had ever encountered.
Four years and 40 pounds later, Novachkov is graduating from Fremont High as the most decorated wrestler in school history, with two state championships under his belt and a scholarship to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in hand.
"He was a little runt when he first came to the room," Soto said with a laugh. "We joked that I used to be able to control him with my index finger. Now I have to give everything I have and use my whole body."
Novachkov was a national freestyle champion in Bulgaria before moving to Sunnyvale in 2003 with his parents and older brother Filip, the 2005 Mercury News wrestler of the year who won a state title in 2006 and is on scholarship at Cal-Poly SLO.
But as a freshman, Boris was too light and didn't earn a spot on the varsity because Filip wrestled at 103 pounds.
"We teased him, saying he went from Bulgarian national champion to a junior-varsity league champion when he came to America," said Soto, who coaches Fremont with Erik Duus.
But the teasing didn't last long. In summer 2005, Boris won national junior titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman.
"It was a little frustrating not being able to compete as a freshman, and everyone joked with me about it," Novachkov said.
"But when I won those national titles, I knew my time would come."
He followed that by cruising to the CIF state title at 103 pounds, the same year Filip won at 119 and teammate Greg Crane won at 160.
"That was my best memory - it was special because we all won it together," Boris said.
When Novachkov moved up three weight classes to 125 pounds for his senior season, some thought he wouldn't have the strength to compete there. But he dispelled those notions in December by winning the Walsh Ironman Invitational in Ohio, considered one of the toughest tournaments in the nation.
"I want to win at everything I do, whether I'm running or wrestling or playing any sport," Novachkov said. "I just don't like the feeling of losing."
He defeated Los Gatos' Naveed Bagheri 8-1 for his second consecutive Central Coast Section title, then rolled through the competition at the state meet, beating Freedom's David Prado 7-1 to win the title.
"Boris' balance is amazing, and he knows how to use hips so well, he is never in a bad position," Bagheri said. "I learned something and came out better for it every time I wrestled him."
Now Novachkov is embarking on a new phase of his wrestling career, and many think the sky is the limit.
"Boris wins because of his mentality - he has goals that are far beyond those of regular high school kids," Soto said. "He has Olympic aspirations - he is looking at the highest accomplishment you can make in wrestling."
First he will work toward his goal of winning at Cal Poly.
"Boris is so technically advanced, nobody can really do anything against him," Cal Poly Coach John Azevedo said. "He'll need to get used to the physical nature of college wrestling, but I think both he and Filip can become NCAA champions. They are going to make an impact"
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Will Joining NOSSA Make It Worse?
NOSSA does not believe that short statured people should stay silent about heightism. How can we expect anything to change if we don't make people aware that there is a problem? We may be laughed at and ridiculed for discussing heightism. It takes guts to stand up for yourself and others. This is not for the faint of heart. But we believe that this is a cause worth fighting for. We at NOSSA believe that you will discover much about yourself in this journey and the difference you make will inspire others. You just might find that you've made a lasting positive impact on the world. http://www.nossaonline.org/joinus.html
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Please Support NOSSA With Your Online Purchases
Help NOSSA by purchasing items at http://www.yellowbrickmall.com:80/nossa.php
Saturday, June 23, 2007
NOSSA To Launch United Kingdom Chapter
The National Organization Of Short Statured Adults will soon launch the United Kingdom chapter. Residents of the United Kingdom can now join a UK specific chapter that will be committed to the needs of short statured adults living and working in the UK. The chapter is expected to launch soon and the official website will be located at www.nossaonline.co.uk
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Podcast Episode 6 Released
Episode 6 Heightism - NOSSA Vice-President Chris Hamre shares his thoughts on the latest news from the organization. Release date - 06/04/2007. Guests: Chris Hamre. Listen at http://mattfromnossa.libsyn.com
Friday, May 18, 2007
Mass Height/Weight Bill Gains Public Attention
BOSTON - Ellen Frankel stands just 4-foot-8½ inches tall, a size that allowed larger co-workers to playfully scoop her up at the office and make remarks about her height. Some even patted her on the head.
Lawmakers are considering complaints such as hers as they review a bill that would make Massachusetts just the second state to bar discrimination based on height or weight.
"People in authority will very easily make comments about height that they wouldn't make about race or gender," said Frankel, a Marblehead author.
Jeanne Toombs understands the frustration. She says overweight people routinely are discriminated against because of their size.
"It's not fair. No matter what you think of fat people, they deserve to be treated like human beings," said Toombs, 59, a piano teacher who weighs 300 pounds and is on the board of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.
The proposed law does not define short or fat. It would apply mainly to the workplace but also to landlords and real estate transactions.
Laws in other states
Most states have laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, age, gender and disability. A handful offer protection for gays and lesbians. But only Michigan includes weight and height in its anti-discrimination law.
The District of Columbia also bans discrimination based on appearance, and San Francisco and Santa Cruz, Calif., prohibit weight and height discrimination.
Rep. Byron Rushing, a Boston Democrat who is sponsoring the Massachusetts bill, said the issue is a question of civil rights.
"This is one of the last physical aspects of people that you can acceptably laugh about," said Rushing, who is black, slim and of average height. "You can be a shock jock on the radio and talk about fat people for a solid week and no one would ever think of having you lose your job. It's still acceptable."
Republican analyst Todd Domke is concerned that lawmakers will scare off businesses if they expand protection to include short and overweight workers.
"We might as well add colorblind, left-handed, allergic-to-cashews, and get it over with," Domke said.
Disability argument
Under current state law, people claiming discrimination in the workplace or for housing must prove in court that their weight problem is a disability. But Massachusetts courts usually reject such arguments.
"People can lose weight," said David Yas, publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. "As that line of argument goes, why receive special treatment? There is some of that attitude in the courts, that this should not rise to the level of race and gender, the rights of which are so important to protect."
Rushing proposed a similar bill 10 years ago, but he's more confident of passage now because of an increased awareness of the issues. He expects a hearing this fall.
"Fatter people and shorter people get promoted less. Shorter people make less than their taller counterparts," said Frankel, who published a memoir last fall titled "Beyond Measure."
Toombs does not buy the argument she can simply diet and lose weight.
"I spent 25 years of my life trying to get thin," she said. "All I ever got was fatter, and I felt like a failure. I thought it was my fault, and it wasn't. People come in different sizes, they always have and they always will.
"I haven't robbed a bank. I work with children. I'm doing good in the world."
Lawmakers are considering complaints such as hers as they review a bill that would make Massachusetts just the second state to bar discrimination based on height or weight.
"People in authority will very easily make comments about height that they wouldn't make about race or gender," said Frankel, a Marblehead author.
Jeanne Toombs understands the frustration. She says overweight people routinely are discriminated against because of their size.
"It's not fair. No matter what you think of fat people, they deserve to be treated like human beings," said Toombs, 59, a piano teacher who weighs 300 pounds and is on the board of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.
The proposed law does not define short or fat. It would apply mainly to the workplace but also to landlords and real estate transactions.
Laws in other states
Most states have laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, age, gender and disability. A handful offer protection for gays and lesbians. But only Michigan includes weight and height in its anti-discrimination law.
The District of Columbia also bans discrimination based on appearance, and San Francisco and Santa Cruz, Calif., prohibit weight and height discrimination.
Rep. Byron Rushing, a Boston Democrat who is sponsoring the Massachusetts bill, said the issue is a question of civil rights.
"This is one of the last physical aspects of people that you can acceptably laugh about," said Rushing, who is black, slim and of average height. "You can be a shock jock on the radio and talk about fat people for a solid week and no one would ever think of having you lose your job. It's still acceptable."
Republican analyst Todd Domke is concerned that lawmakers will scare off businesses if they expand protection to include short and overweight workers.
"We might as well add colorblind, left-handed, allergic-to-cashews, and get it over with," Domke said.
Disability argument
Under current state law, people claiming discrimination in the workplace or for housing must prove in court that their weight problem is a disability. But Massachusetts courts usually reject such arguments.
"People can lose weight," said David Yas, publisher of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. "As that line of argument goes, why receive special treatment? There is some of that attitude in the courts, that this should not rise to the level of race and gender, the rights of which are so important to protect."
Rushing proposed a similar bill 10 years ago, but he's more confident of passage now because of an increased awareness of the issues. He expects a hearing this fall.
"Fatter people and shorter people get promoted less. Shorter people make less than their taller counterparts," said Frankel, who published a memoir last fall titled "Beyond Measure."
Toombs does not buy the argument she can simply diet and lose weight.
"I spent 25 years of my life trying to get thin," she said. "All I ever got was fatter, and I felt like a failure. I thought it was my fault, and it wasn't. People come in different sizes, they always have and they always will.
"I haven't robbed a bank. I work with children. I'm doing good in the world."
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Power in numbers
Women have NOW. African-Americans have the NAACP. Gays have GLAAD. Even animals have groups looking out for their needs PETA. So who is looking out for the specific needs of short statured people? If you are a little person (you have a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4'10" or shorter) you can turn to LPA. But what if you are taller but still considered short? What about the heightism that you experience each and every day? Well now you have a group ready and willing to speak up for you. The group is called NOSSA - National Organization Of Short Statured Adults. There is power in numbers and we can bring much needed support and attention to the needs of the short statured man or woman. Please join us today! Visit our official website at www.nossaonline.org for more information. Together we will make a difference.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
NOSSA Commends Mass. Rep.Byron Rushing
NOSSA has announced Massachusetts State Representative Byron Rushing as the 2007 Activist of the year. Representative Rushing is commended for his drafting of the recent legislation H.3752, a bill which would make it illegal in the state to discriminate against a person based on height or weight. The previous 2006 activist of the year was Steven Goldsmith for his www.shortsupport.org website.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Ellen Frankel To Appear On CBS Early Show
Ellen Frankel LCSW will appear on CBS the Early Show tomorrow morning April 4, 2007 around 8:00 am...It's on heightism and the Hgh issue. Tune in!
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