The left’s “fat acceptance” movement has brought us “plus-sized” lingerie models and beauty pageant contestants, free seats for its disciples on Southwest Airlines, demands for sturdier hotel furniture, and a push to rewrite public health standards.
But it seems the movement still cannot waddle into your local public school gym class.
A 400-pound student at a Detroit university has sued the school, claiming he was denied an opportunity to fulfill a teaching requirement because of his weight.
Read:Lawsuit Filed After Troops On Florida Military Base Denied Screenings Of “Sound Of Freedom”
David Lopez, 44, told the local media that he filed the discrimination lawsuit against Wayne State University because it would not grant him a “reasonable accommodation” to fulfill the teaching portion of its kinesiology program.
Lopez needed to work as a PE teacher to finish his program, under the Health and Sport Studies section of the university’s Division of Kinesiology, The Daily Mail reports.
He now seeks $1 million from the lawsuit, which he maintained had to be filed because Wayne State left him unable to earn a living.
“All I’d asked for was accommodations, virtual or through physical accommodations inside a classroom,” Lopez told the Detroit News. “All I asked for was a reasonable accommodation.”
The Blaze reported that Lopez had worked in the physical education program at an elementary school under the Dearborn Public Schools system.
Read: Rep. Matt Gaetz Of Florida Continues McCarthy Feud, Albeit On A Different Front
He had finished half the school year. But when it came time to go back, Wayne State declined — even though the Dearborn school system was ready to let Lopez finish the year virtually.
“There’s no doubt that [his weight] was the reason why,” Lopez told the News. “They don’t think I fit the description of what a P.E. teacher was because I’m very overweight. There was no other reason. I passed everything.”
Lopez claimed he was qualified to teach the program despite tipping the scales at 400 pounds because he had coached a sports team after graduating high school, The Blaze noted.
Lopez said he also could teach physical education even if he cannot compete or participate in sports.
In its defense, Wayne State counters that the lawsuit is “frivolous” and should be dismissed. It claimed educational institutions cannot be sued for weight discrimination.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help. Visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.