ISAA Condemns Proposed Mississippi Segregation

AUSTIN, TX – The International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) opposes
and condemns Mississippi House Bill 282 (
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2008/pdf/history/HB/HB0282.xml), proposed
by Representative W. T. Mayhall, Jr. of District 40, which is “an act to
prohibit certain food establishments from serving food to any person who is
obese.” In the unlikely possibility that this legislation actually passes,
it would allow restaurants to refuse service to anyone with a Body Mass
Index (BMI) of 30 or more. The bill does not specify how restaurants should
check for BMI but it does state that “the State Department of Health shall
monitor the food establishments to which this section applies for compliance
with the provisions of this section, and may revoke the permit of any food
establishment that repeatedly violates the provisions of this section.”

“This bill is wholesale legalized segregation based on weight,” said ISAA
Founder and Director Allen Steadham. “It tells restaurants to choke their
own business while discriminating against potential patrons. It is obscene
and shows to what extent the obsession over obesity has reached. This
clearly steps over a line and should be called for what it is.”

ISAA recommends that the public contact the Mississippi legislature (
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/members/hr_membs.xml) and urge them to
oppose this bill and Representative Mayhall to urge him to withdraw this
bill.

Representative W.T. Mayhall
Home: 662.393.2069
Cell: 901.734.9540
Email: tmayhall(at)house(dot)ms(dot)gov <tmayhall@house.ms.gov>

ISAA strongly suggests that the public exercise courtesy when contacting
Representative Mayhall and the Mississippi legislature.

ISAA was created in 1997 with the mission to is to promote size acceptance
and fight weight-based discrimination throughout the world by means of
advocacy and visible, lawful actions. ISAA has a philosophy of self-respect,
maintainable fitness and encourages healthy food choices.

Address questions or comments to ISAA Director Allen Steadham at
directisaa(at)gmail(dot)com <directisaa@gmail.com>