Article: 'It's not OK to discriminate': Stephanie Payne speaks out over taunts

[Golliwog]

http://www.news.com.au/national/its-not-ok-to-discriminate-stephanie-payne-speaks-out-over-taunts-on-public-transport/story-e6frfkvr-1226090101941

'It's not OK to discriminate': Stephanie Payne speaks out over taunts on public transport
By Erin Michael From: mX July 07, 2011 7:19PM


A SELF-confessed "super obese" commuter has vowed to buy two train tickets to silence her critics who abuse her for taking up multiple seats.
Despite shedding 60kg in the past year Stephanie Payne says she suffers "countless unprovoked weightism attacks".

The 31-year-old mum of four said she had been called names including "fat pig" and "fat slut" at times in front of her children.

"It happens to me all the time and up until this point I've put up with it," Payne told mX.

"When people tease me, it makes me feel isolated, like I don't have the right to catch a train.

"At least if I buy two tickets I can silence people because I can say I've paid my way, I have one for myself and one for my butt; even though I shouldn't have to do that."

The human services worker reached "breaking point" during her commute from her inner city Melbourne workplace last week when she copped taunts from fellow passengers.

"I am fully aware that others will get on the train and two people can sit down in place of my one," Payne said.

"I want people to know it is not OK to discriminate."

Payne who weighs about 180kg and plans to drop almost another 100kg aims to climb a 46-floor building to raise money for the Cancer Council.

To make a donation, go to www.movingforwardlookingforward.blogspot.com

I'm appalled by some of the behaviour that gets mentioned in this article.

[SurfRail]

Actually, while taunts and jeering are not at all acceptable, I find the idea of discriminating against obese people to be perfectly legitimate.  I am quite overweight myself, and there is nothing healthy or normal about it - and in virtually all cases, it stems from low activity and poor diet.  Very few people are that size unavoidably.

Fat should be castigated in the same way as smoking, considering it is probably a far more significant health problem at large.

[O_128]

I agree teasing is wrong but its not like she has anyone to blame but herself.