HIV/AIDS issue
Economic issue
LGBTI issue
People of color issue
Women's issue
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Podcasts
Legislative update
Governor's scorecard
Senate scorecard
Assembly scorecard
Who represents you?
Online resources
Donations/membership
About us
Employment: (800) 884-1684
Housing: (800) 233-3212
In 1999 the California State Legislature passed A.B. 1001, which Governor Davis signed into law. This bill prohibits sexual orientation–based discrimination in employment and housing. It expands the types of protections available to lesbians, gays, and bisexuals and moves enforcement of those protections from the Department of Industrial Relations to the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH).
The DFEH has a long history of dealing with discrimination complaints and so is probably better suited to protect the queer community from discrimination. The old laws covered only employment discrimination; A.B. 1001 prohibits both employment and housing discrimination. In addition, the DFEH will represent plaintiffs when the department finds that discrimination has occurred. Thus, in many cases, the plaintiff will not have to hire an attorney to fight discriminatory housing or employment practices.
Have you experienced employment discrimination because of your actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity or because of your age (40 and over), ancestry, color, creed, disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, or sex? Have you been denied family and medical care leave or pregnancy disability leave?
If you feel that you have been discriminated against, you can call one of the toll-free numbers listed above that the DFEH maintains. The department will then set an appointment for an interview at the DFEH office nearest your home or place of work.
This page updated November 1, 2005.