Washington Times: PETA campaign offends fat activists

"We're reduced sometimes to doing stupid things to make serious points. Society doesn't have the attention span it used to and we just have to put the animal's plight in front of the public, come hell or high water." - Ingrid Newkirk, PETA President to ABC News. "We can't talk about beer, sex, fat. You'd think we were under Taliban rule." - Ingrid Newkirk to the Washington Times. "Obesity is a sign of a societal problem. We didn't used to be fat. Our children did not use to waddle. And we need to stop being so sensitive about pointing out that people are overweight." - Ingrid Newkirk to the Washington Times. "A first-year psychology student will recognize that the #1 red flag for determining an abuser or a bully is when they use the statement 'Oh, you're too sensitive.'" - Kelly Bliss, Psychotherapist and Plus-Size Fitness Professional

PETA Drops "Don't Pay For 2 Seats" Ads
...Then Replaces Them With "Fat Elvis"

SEPTEMBER 18, 2002: No sooner had the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) cancelled their pro-vegetarian, anti-fat campaign aimed at fat travelers ("Don't Pay For 2 Seats: Go Vegetarian") than they have replaced it with something equally offensive.

From the PETA Website
"Although it’s been a quarter of a century since Elvis died on his porcelain throne, millions of fans remain loyal to America’s 'king,' inspired by his signature style and soulful music. And judging by their own broadening bellies and bottoms, they are putting away the same unhealthy, fattening foods that he did."

It concludes: "It’s never been easier—or tastier—to go vegetarian. Try it and odds are that the pounds will melt away. It won’t be long before you’re singing, 'I Can’t Help Falling in Love … With Veggies' and 'Tofu’s the Name of My Latest Flame.' "

Since PETA has resumed its attack on fat people, ISAA must summarily condemn PETA's insistent antagonism based on faulty information (vegetarianism does not mean weight loss) and PETA's President's determination to attack fat people.

ISAA believes that PETA's motives are ill-informed and malevolent. Based on the amount of helpful information PETA has received from the public and professionals since September 5, 2002, PETA's officials now know that vegetarianism is not a weight loss method. PETA received countless e-mails, phone calls and faxes from fat vegetarians who did not lose weight.

Nothing will be gained from PETA's approach except to aggravate and attempt to shame fat people. This cannot be tolerated.

ISAA calls on the size acceptance community and the public to permanently withdraw all support (deeds and finances) of PETA and to also withdraw support from PETA's sponsors so long as they remain sponsors of PETA.

ISAA recommends that ISAA members, ISAA chapter members, members of other size acceptance organizations, the size acceptance community and members of the public contact local newspapers, radio and television talk shows, address this in your personal websites, chat rooms and bulletin boards and use those forums to condemn PETA for their fat hatred.

We will not stop until PETA stops the fat hatred -- permanently.

The Mission of the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) is to promote size acceptance and to help end size discrimination throughout the world by means of advocacy and visible, lawful means.