Background: Over 29% of New Jersey residents are affected by obesity, and another 36% by overweight. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their size or weight, yet only one state and a few cities protect their residents from weight-based discrimination. People with obesity face weight-based discrimination every day. The effects of bias, stigma, and weight-based discrimination are clear: people with obesity delay seeking care, have worsening mental health, get paid less than their peers, and more. Now is the time for change, and Senate Bill 1602 would ban weight-based discrimination in New Jersey.

Take Action Now: Use OAC’s advocacy tool below to urge key state representatives to support Senate Bill 1602, which will ban weight-based discrimination.

It’s Easy to Advocate! Use our easy automated message generator below to get started. You’ll find an easy-to-use template letter to get you started, and we encourage you to personalize this letter before sending by including your personal story.