Working to make Brooklyn free of discrimination: Be Our Guest

I saw this in the New York Daily News. It comes directly from the New York City Commission on Human Rights office, and was written by Patrica Gatling, who is the commissioner and chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights.

I am proud to head the New York City Commission on Human Rights and to be able to help enforce one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation. Our law enforcement bureau investigates and prosecutes discrimination complaints alleging violations of the law.
Our community relations bureau cultivates understanding and respect among the city's diverse communities through our five borough-based Community Service Centers and our numerous educational and outreach programs including: immigrant employment rights training; equal access (disability access) investigations, workshops and interventions; school program sessions that teach about the New York City human rights law, sexual harassment and conflict resolution; peer mediation training in high and middle schools; and mortgage counseling and fair housing workshops to raise awareness of predatory lending practices.

The city's human rights law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations - such as stores, offices, theaters, restaurants and stadiums - based on race, color, creed, age, national origin, alien or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, disability, marital status or partnership status. In addition, the law affords protection against discrimination in employment based on arrest or conviction record and status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses. In housing, the law affords additional protections based on lawful occupation and family status. The law also prohibits retaliation and bias-related harassment.

Since Mayor Bloomberg appointed me human rights commissioner in January 2002, we have maintained a strong presence throughout Brooklyn. Last year, we focused on Brighton Beach because of its high number of inaccessible multidwelling buildings and large aging immigrant population and successfully negotiated to get ramps and other modifications for 24 buildings containing more than 3,000 units, enabling the elderly and disabled easy access. The commission also assisted the city's Parks and Recreation Department this summer in installing "mobimats" on Brighton Beach to allow easier wheelchair access on the beach.

We are teaching students at high schools in Red Hook and Williamsburg about the human rights law and sexual harassment this fall and have begun training selected high school students in Crown Heights to be peer mediators and help their fellow students resolve conflicts at school before they escalate into violence.

Those are just a few of our Brooklyn highlights. The New York City Commission on Human Rights has been promoting and protecting civil rights for over 50 years. When discrimination appears, it threatens our unity and will not be tolerated. Each case at the commission is treated with equal importance - so if you believe you are a victim of discrimination and that the alleged violation took place within one year and within the five boroughs, or if you are interested in any of the community services and workshops we provide, please call us at 311.

We also invite you to visit our Web site at www.nyc.gov/cchr to learn more about the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

On Nov. 9, the commission is co-sponsoring an important program for employers and business representatives in Brooklyn with New York Immigration Coalition, "Avoiding Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination." It will take place at the Brooklyn Public Business Library, 280 Cadman Plaza West, and run from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. RSVP by calling (212) 306-7560.