|
Know Your
Rights |
Places of Public Accommodation
On March 14,
2000, a new Human Rights Law went into effect in Westchester
County. This law made it illegal to commit discriminatory acts
against individuals because of their "group identity" based on
their race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, age, national origin,
alienage or citizenship status, familial status, gender, marital status,
sexual orientation or disability. It is unlawful in Westchester
County to discriminate against individuals in the following areas: You may not be discriminated against when looking for employment or during the course of your employment. If you believe that you did not get a job, or were unfairly terminated or treated differently at work because of your group identity, you may want to file a complaint.
Places of Public Accommodation
You may not be discriminated against in the use of public facilities. For example, restaurants, theaters, stores, public schools or other places of public accommodation may not treat you differently or otherwise subject you to discriminatory conduct. If you feel that you have been denied access to a public facility because of discrimination, you may want to file a complaint.
You should also contact the Human Rights Commission if you have been the victim of physical intimidation or acts of hate and physical violence because of your group identity.
Sale, Lease or Rental of Real Estate
The Human Rights Law makes it unlawful to discriminate in the renting or selling of any house, condominium, cooperative apartment or commercial real estate. If you feel you were discriminated against in a housing situation because of your group identity, you may want to file a complaint.
The law makes it unlawful to deny credit, or to fix higher or unfair rates based on the defined discrimination. If you have been denied a loan or credit or offered a higher interest rate because of discrimination, you may want to file a complaint.