Revised 6/08
Discrimination Based Upon Sexual Orientation
Overview
The State Human Rights Commission, which enforces laws prohibiting various forms of discrimination in employment, as well as in other areas, such as accommodations, real estate, commerce, and credit, has had its authority expanded in 2006 by passage of ESHB 2661 (Chapter 4, Laws of 2006). Since June 7, 2006, the Commission has been authorized to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination based upon a person's sexual orientation, in addition to other laws prohibiting discrimination based upon a person's of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a disabled person.
Links
- Your Guide to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Discrimination, and Washington State Laws Applicable to Employers - A helpful guide, set out in question and answer format, prepared by the Human Rights Commission.
- Human Rights Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity which provides links to an announcement of the Commission's jurisdiction over sexual orientation and gender identity, a self-assessment checklist for compliance and suggested best practices, and a paper on Transgender Issues in the Work Place.
- Human Rights Commission
- Bellevue, WA Ordinance No. 5694 (
98 KB) amends the Human Resources Code by authorizing the inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the defintion of harassment to be consistent with RCW 49.60.180(1), passed 9/18/06
- RCW 49.60.180 which sets out unfair practices by employers, including discrimination based upon sexual orientation.
- Chapter 4, Laws of 2006 (ESHB 2661) relating to and prohibiting various forms of discrimination based upon sexual orientation and providing Human Rights Commission with enforcement authority.