Little People of America
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox organization Little People of America (LPA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which provides support, resources, and information to individuals with dwarfism and their families.
Founding
LPA was founded in 1957 by actor Billy Barty<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> when he informally called upon people of short stature to join him in a get-together in Reno, Nevada. The original association was known as Midgets of America until 1960. The name was later changed to Midgets and Dwarfs of America when the people with dwarfism complained that there were more dwarfs than midgets.<ref name="BE">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That original meeting of 21 people evolved into Little People of America, a group which as of 2023 has more than 7,500 members.<ref>"About LPA"</ref> LPA has 73 local chapters which meet regularly as well as an annual weeklong conference. They publish a quarterly publication national newsletter titled LPA Today.<ref>"LPA Today magazine"</ref> LPA is the first North American "little people" organization, with the Little People of Canada incorporating in Canada in 1984.<ref>"A Giant Crusader", July 26, 2021.</ref>
"Midget" as a slur
During the 2009 National Conference of the Little People of America, a press conference was held to make a public statement regarding the use of the word "midget", which is considered offensive by many people with dwarfism. The statement was made in response to an episode of Celebrity Apprentice which featured multiple uses of the word "midget" and justification of it by one of the celebrities, Jesse James.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Members of the LPA filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission over the use of the word "midget" on broadcast television.<ref name="televisionBroadcast">Template:Cite news</ref> The complaint said that "the word 'midget' is considered offensive to the dwarfism community and should not be seen or heard on TV or radio."<ref name="celebrityApprenticeDocument">Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>
Membership
Membership in LPA is limited to people 4 ft 10 in (147 cm) and under, or those diagnosed with any of the hundred plus forms of dwarfism,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> their families, or those who "demonstrate a well-founded interest in issues relating to Little People Matter,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and dwarfism."
See also
References
External links
- Organizations established in 1957
- Dwarfism
- Disability organizations based in the United States
- Health and disability rights organizations in the United States
- Growth disorders
- Medical and health organizations based in California
- Non-profit organizations based in California
- 501(c)(3) organizations
- 1957 establishments in the United States