You have the right to be free from discrimination based on your protected class status.
A protected class is a category by which people are qualified for special legal protection. Some of these classes include but are not limited to: race, physical or mental disability, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, military status, marital status, family status, veteran status, and more.
If you experience discrimination, there may be different options available to you based on the type of action you want to take. This page includes information about discrimination in various areas, and how to file complaints with appropriate authorities.
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Employment Discrimination
You have the right to be free from discrimination, harassment, and injustice at your place of work.
Oregon and Federal laws protect workers from discrimination based on race, national origin, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, military status, or marital or family status.
It is always recommended to seek legal counsel from an attorney regarding matters of civil rights and discrimination. For direct referrals, submit a referral request
Another option is to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of Oregon's Bureau of Labor & Industries (BOLI). This could be a way to try to get the issue resolved without hiring an attorney. This option will allow you to cross-file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Learn more about filing a complaint with BOLI by clicking the link below. -
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Housing Discrimination
You have the right to seek, secure, and retain housing free from discrimination based on your protected class status.
Federal, state, and local housing laws are there to protect you from unlawful discrimination practices in matters of housing (rentals, sales, etc.).
It is always recommended to seek legal counsel from an attorney regarding matters of civil rights and discrimination. For direct referrals, submit a referral request.
Learn more about submitting a housing discrimination complaint to BOLI by clicking here.
Learn more about submitting a complaint to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) by clicking here.
Learn more about fair housing laws with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon by clicking the button below.
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Public Accommodations Discrimination
You have the right to full and equal access to places of public accommodation without discrimination. Read more about the law here.
A place of public accommodation is defined by ORS 659A.400 as:
(a) Any place or service offering to the public accommodations, advantages, facilities or privileges whether in the nature of goods, services, lodgings, amusements, transportation or otherwise.(b) Any place that is open to the public and owned or maintained by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109 (“Public body” defined), regardless of whether the place is commercial in nature.
(c) Any service to the public that is provided by a public body, as defined in ORS 174.109 (“Public body” defined), regardless of whether the service is commercial in nature.
Oregon Justice Resource Center Civil Rights Project
OJRC’s Civil Rights Project, “examines, tracks, and litigates civil rights issues related to the criminal justice system. The CRP seeks to secure equal and fair treatment for individuals intersecting with the criminal legal system, and accountability and systemic reform through strategic litigation, public education, programming, and policy advocacy.”
Visit their website to contact Juan Chavez, Project Director and Attorney, or to submit an intake form.
ACLU of Oregon
The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union works to defend and preserve civil liberties afforded by constitutional protections. While they receive a multitude of legal requests each year, they can only accept a small number of cases to litigate. Click the button below to learn about the types of cases they can potentially accept, and to access their online complaint form.