A bartender has posted an emotional video discussing how she has been treated differently since gaining weight during the pandemic. Watch her explain what has happened:
Cassidy Lane, who goes by the username @body_positive_bartender on TikTok, responded to a video about 'pretty privilege' - and although she bravely managed to recovered from an eating disorder, she said saying everything changed for her after that.
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She explained how she had asked for help during the pandemic, but had since noticed that people treat her very differently.
In the moving video, Cassidy says: "So I work in the service industry, I'm a bartender - and if you were unaware, the way you look influences it a lot, whether that's tips or how people treat you.
"It just does. And my whole life changed when I started getting help for my eating disorder, which resulted in weight gain after the pandemic."
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Cassidy, who regularly posts content to promote body positivity and boasts thousands of followers, then gets emotional as she explains how different things can be with customers.
She tearfully explained: "People don't even look you in the eye anymore, they're not nice to you, especially men.
"I would walk up and say, 'Hey how's it going, how are you?'
"And I used to get, 'I'm doing really great honey, how are you?'
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"Now it's a little more like [impersonates self behind bar]: 'Hey how's it going, what can I get you?'"
She then acts in the role of a customer, abruptly responding with: "Two Coors light and a Bud Light."
Cassidy, who has more than a quarter of a million followers, stresses that this sort of behaviour exists.
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She adds: "For people saying that doesn't actually happen, please raise your hand if you would willingly like to live as a fat person.
"And the fact that nobody raises their hand makes the point.
"And it just makes you feel hopeless - am I ever going to be worth more than my looks?"
The powerful video has been viewed almost five million times, attracting thousands of comments from people who feel the same way and who want to support Cassidy.
One said: "As someone who has been fat my whole life, this actually kinda makes me feel better because it means that it's not really a 'me' problem."
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Another wrote: "I'm so sorry humans suck. But I'm more proud of you for fighting for recovery from your eating disorder. You go, my girl."
"This is real," a third person replied. "I gained a lot of weight during the pandemic too and people just treated me differently. It's a cruel world."
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/Cassidy LaneTopics: viral news, TikTok