What is Illegal Discrimination?

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Illegal discrimination is when:

• You are treated differently from others in a similar situation; and
  

• You are harmed by the treatment; and
  

• You are treated this way because of your membership in a protected class (i.e., race, gender, etc.)
  or -
  

• Your request for a reasonable accommodation due to a disability is refused without a valid business reason.

Seattle currently includes these protected classes:

Age **
Ancestry
Color
Creed
Disability
Gender identity
Marital status
National Origin
Parental status *
Political ideology
Race
Religion
Sex
Sexual orientation
Use of a Section 8 certificate *
Use of a service animal

* - Not applicable to Employment or Fair Contracting cases
** - Not applicable to Public Accommodations cases

Retaliation

It is against the law for someone to penalize or discriminate against you because:

• You file a discrimination complaint
  

• You cooperate with a discrimination complaint
  

• You cooperate with the enforcement of a discrimination complaint
  

• You comply with anti-discrimination laws

You can file a separate charge of discrimination if you believe someone has retaliated against you. SOCR will conduct a separate investigation concerning retaliation.

Harassment

Seattle's anti-discrimination laws also protect you from harassment. Harassment is conduct that is directed at you because of your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, etc.

Harassment can include:

• Threats
  

• Slurs or epithets
  

• Threatening acts
  

• Posting offensive materials on walls, bulletin boards, e-mail, etc.

To be considered harassment, conduct must:

• Be serious and frequent enough to create a hostile environment;
  

• Interfere with your ability to work, live, or enjoy a public place.

If you have questions, comments or requests about our services please contact our office at (206) 684-4500 voice, (206) 684-4503 TTY or send eMail to Elliott Bronstein.