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2016 Press Releases

NYC Commission on Human Rights Announces Subway Outreach and other Efforts to Inform People of Legal Protections Against Discrimination and Harassment, 12/20/2016

 “No one in this city should feel unsafe or threatened for being who they are,” said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “The NYC Commission on Human Rights is here to protect all New Yorkers from discrimination and harassment by enforcing the City’s Human Rights Law, one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the nation. We are using every resource at our disposal to inform people of their rights and encourage them to report acts of bias and discrimination. The Commission works every day to hold violators accountable and get justice for victims under the law. If anyone believes they have been the victim of discrimination, we urge them to call the Commission and report it.”

NYC Commission on Human Rights Partners With Univision New York, Other Media, And Community Partners On 3-Day "Know Your Rights" Phone-A-Thon To Address Discrimination And Harassment Concerns From Spanish-Speaking New Yorkers, 12/06/2016

“No one in New York City should feel unsafe or threatened because of their cultural identity, their faith, country of origin, or immigration status,” said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “The Commission is using every resource at its disposal to ensure that every community has the information and tools they need to remain free from discrimination and harassment. We hope this phone-a-thon reassures concerned communities that New York City has your back and fights daily to your rights and the rights of your families."

 New York Receives True Perfect Score for LGBT Inclusivity By Human Rights Campaign 5th Year In A Row

“From equal access to bathrooms for transgender New Yorkers to anti-bullying programs in our schools, New York City is truly an inclusive city for LGBT communities,” said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Carmelyn P. Malalis. “At the NYC Commission on Human Rights, we fight every day to ensure that LGBT New Yorkers can be themselves, free from discrimination and hate. While we welcome this perfect score, we know that more needs to be done to ensure that every New Yorker receives the same opportunities and respect as everyone else.”

De Blasio Administration Announces Community and Media Outreach Efforts Across City to Counter Wave of Negative Rhetoric Targeting Muslim Communities, 09/26/2016 

“In New York City, our diversity is our strength,” said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. “We cannot and will not let xenophobia or violence against hard working Muslim families or any other group become the norm in New York City. Muslim New Yorkers are our police, our teachers, our small business owners, and our neighbors. The Commission is fighting discrimination in all its forms and continues to ramp up public education efforts to bridge cultural divides and foster respect among the City’s diverse communities. In New York City, we embrace our differences. They do not divide us.”

 


Mayor de Blasio, Council Member Jumaane Williams, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Public Advocate Letitia James Announce Legislation That Adds Veterans and Military Status as Protected Class Under the City's Human Rights Law, 08/16/16

"Veterans and active military and other uniformed personnel routinely put their lives on the line for people in this country,” said Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. “The least we can do is guarantee them the same freedom, respect and opportunities as everyone else. This law will give veterans and active military and other uniformed personnel direct protection under the New York City Human Rights Law.”

Mayor de Blasio and the Commission Launch First Ever Citywide Ad Campaign Affirming Right To Use Bathrooms Consistent With Gender Identity, 06/06/2016

"Safe and equal bathrooms access is essential for everyone," said Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "And in New York City, it's the law. We created these ads to remind every New Yorker, cis and transgender alike, that the City protects your right to live and work according to your gender identity and expression, including your right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity. Far too often, transgender people suffer bullying, harassment and violence for being who they are. These ads show that transgender people, like everyone else, have the right to use the restroom in peace."

Mayor de Blasio Announces Stronger Pregnancy Protections in the Workplace, Housing, and Public Spaces, 05/06/2016

"Pregnant employees are often denied basic accommodations in the workplace, unnecessarily putting their pregnancy and health at risk," said NYC Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "The Commission's new Legal Enforcement Guidance on Pregnancy Discrimination will enable pregnant employees to understand their rights so they can request reasonable accommodations without fear of retaliation. The guidance also provides employers with a clear roadmap of how to negotiate complex accommodation scenarios without violating the law. Every New Yorker deserves a safe and equitable work environment and this guidance helps ensure they get it."

Mayor de Blasio and Human Rights Commissioner Malalis Announce New Caregiver Law Goes into Effect, Providing Protection to Employees with Caregiving Responsibilities from Workplace Discrimination, 05/04/2016

"Far too often, people caring for relatives get passed up for promotions or other work opportunities because they are wrongly perceived to have less time or work less hard," said Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "Nothing could be further from the truth. Working parents and people caring for loved ones with disabilities are some of the hardest working people in New York City. I look forward to working with employers and businesses across the City to continue to educate them on this new protection and inform millions of New Yorkers raising kids and caring for loved ones of their rights under the law."

Mayor Bill de Blasio Mandates City Facilities Provide Bathroom Access to People Consistent with Gender Identity, 03/07/2016

"Every person deserves the right to use the bathroom safely and free from discrimination," said Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "Denying them that right is unhealthy, inhumane and unacceptable. The NYC Commission on Human Rights applauds the Mayor's Executive Order today, which should be the gold standard in gender identity protections across every city and state in the country. The Commission will continue to vigorously enforce gender identity and expression protections under the City Human Rights Law, which requires all employers, housing providers and public accommodations to allow individuals to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, and looks forward to working with the Mayor's Office, City Council members, and advocates to further strengthen the rights of every New Yorker."

Mayor Bill de Blasio Announces NYC Commission On Human Rights First Anti-Discrimination Agency In Major U.S. City To Issue U And T Visa Certifications, 02/09/2016

"By issuing U and T visa certifications, the Commission provides another venue for undocumented immigrants to come forward, report unlawful activity and assist in investigations," said NYC Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "As a civil law enforcement agency with investigatory authority, the Commission is well-situated to identify crimes that may qualify immigrants for U and T visa certification, including sexual assault in the workplace, tenant harassment, forced labor, extortion, and human trafficking. Everyone in New York City is protected under the New York City Human Rights Law, regardless of their immigration status. Issuing certification will bring victims of abuse one step closer to the justice they deserve."

NYC Commission on Human Rights Doubles Average Amount Collected in Discrimination Cases in 2015, 01/28/16

"The New York City Commission on Human Rights works tirelessly to ensure that victims of discrimination are compensated fairly and that violators are held accountable," said Carmelyn P. Malalis, Commissioner and Chair of the Commission on Human Rights. "No one deserves to be discriminated against, but if they are, the New York City Commission on Human Rights is here to help them get the justice they deserve. The Commission strives to protect every New Yorker and thoroughly investigates complaints to strategically address violations of the Law."

NYC Commission on Human Rights, Elected Officials, Clergy, and Advocates Meet Job Seekers with Criminal Histories to Inform Them of Rights Under Law, Announce Citywide Enforcement Effort to Stop Discrimination, 01/25/16

"Every New Yorker deserves a fair chance at employment, regardless of their background," said Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn P. Malalis. "The job seekers we met today prove that those with barriers to employment deserve an opportunity at an economic future. The Commission aggressively investigate and prosecute all employment discrimination complaints and work with employers to ensure that everyone in New York City enjoys the same rights and opportunities under the Law."

Comisión Lanza Talleres De Ley En Español / Commission Launches Spanish Workshops, 01/20/2016

"La Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la Ciudad de Nueva York y la Federación Hispana anunciaron el lanzamiento de los Talleres de la Ley de Derechos Humanos de la Comisión en español. El evento contó con la presentación del taller Introducción a la Ley de Derechos Humanos de la Ciudad de Nueva York, uno de los talleres gratuitos de la serie de la Comisión que cubre áreas bajo la jurisdicción de la Comisión, incluyendo las disposiciones contra la discriminación en el empleo, la vivienda y los lugares públicos, así como protección contra el acoso discriminatorio y policial basado en prejuicios."

"The New York City Commission on Human Rights and the Hispanic Federation announced the launch of the Commission’s first monthly Human Rights Law workshop in Spanish. The event featured Introduction to New York City's Human Rights Law, one of the NYC Commission on Human Rights' free workshops, which cover areas under the Commission's jurisdiction, including anti-discrimination provisions in employment, housing, and public accommodations, as well as protections against discriminatory harassment and bias-based policing. The workshop was conducted by the Commission's Director of Training and Development, Vanessa Ramos. A Q&A session followed the workshop."

Mayor de Blasio Signs Legislation Expanding the New York City Human Rights Law to Protect Caregivers from Employment Discrimination, 01/05/16

"Mayor de Blasio today signed eight pieces of legislation ... The first bill, Intro. 108-A, expands the New York City Human Rights Law to include 'caregiver status' as an additional protected category in employment. The City Human Rights Law protects a number of classes of persons from employment discrimination. Protected classes covered under the Law include race, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, gender, age, and others. The addition of caregiver status to these categories means an employee who is caring for a minor child or an individual with a disability cannot be terminated, demoted, or denied a promotion because of their status or perceived status as a caregiver.

"Caregivers are our unsung heroes. They literally keep families together. It's critical we give them the employment protection they need and deserve," said Mayor de Blasio.

"No one should be discriminated against because of their status as a caregiver," said Carmelyn P. Malalis, New York City Human Rights Commissioner. "Intro. 108 guarantees that every parent and family member caring for a loved one receives the same rights and opportunities in the workplace as everyone else. The Commission will vigorously enforce this much-needed protection and looks forward to working with the Mayor's Office and the New York City Council to further advance the rights of caregivers under the law so that every New Yorker can live and work free from discrimination."