Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities hosts community forums
By Joseph Daniels, Co-Chair, Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities
From July through October 2006, the Seattle Commission for Sexual Minorities
(SCSM) sponsored an impressive series of five community forums at the Capitol
Hill Library. Each forum focused on a different topic: Diversity, Health,
Aging, Gender Identity and Parenting. Facilitators Jacque Larrainzar, Chuck
Perry Ellis, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, Marsha Botzer, and Eileen Terry
skillfully solicited questions, comments and recommendations from participants
and from community leaders who served as panelists. The Commission will
analyze the information gathered from each forum to incorporate into its
2007 SCSM workplan.
The forums were successful in building relationships with community organizations
that are doing so much work in the LGBT community. There is more work to
be done of course, but we believe that we have opened a door toward better
collaboration and communication. The Commission will continue to build on
these relationships through its work plan and leadership collaboration.
In addition to these forums, the SCSM collaborated with the Seattle Human
Rights Commission to host a Race and Bias Crimes forum at City Hall to discuss
the report written by Ken Molsberry documenting the prevalence of bias crimes
in Seattle.
Commissioners would like to extend a big thank you to the Seattle Channel,
Capital Hill Library, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, City Councilmembers
Tom Rasmussen and Nick Licata, Seattle Police Department, and the Seattle
Human Rights Commission.
It isn’t too late for you to experience the forums. Check out the
forum notes on our web site at http://www.seattle.gov/scsm/,
or watch them on the Seattle Channel.
Charging parties receive record settlements in 2005-06
By Anita DeMahy, SOCR Policy & Outreach Intern
Connie Common applied for an apartment, but building owner Nick Stockman
turned her away after finding out Ms. Common was a Section 8 renter. (Note:
all names have been changed to protect confidentiality.) Ms. Common filed
a charge with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) and received $750
compensation earlier this year as part of a pre-determination settlement.
In addition, Mr. Stockman and his staff were required to attend fair housing
training, draft guidelines for processing future Section 8 applicants, and
post apartment listings with the Seattle Housing Authority’s Section
8 office.
In 2005-06, dollar benefits awarded to SOCR’s charging parties have
increased significantly, thanks to negotiated settlements between parties
to charges of illegal discrimination. So far in 2006, charging parties have
received more than $40,000 in settlements. In 2005, charging parties received
a total of more than $91,000, the highest dollar compensation in SOCR’s
history. Charging parties receive monetary settlements directly – SOCR
does not take any portion of the amount.
Clay Bacon worked for Johnson Real Estate as both a resident manager and
painter. After finding out Mr. Bacon came from Tibet, the manager of Johnson
Real Estate began to demand much more work of him than was originally agreed
upon and unduly scrutinized his work. Occasionally the manager made derogatory
comments about Tibet. Clay Bacon filed both housing and employment charges.
In settling the cases in June 2006, Bacon received a thousand dollars for
general damages and a written apology from the manager.
Fair housing, employment and public accommodation laws protect everyone
who works or lives in Seattle. Discrimination based on national origin,
race, gender, sexual orientation, and other protected classes is illegal.
To learn more about your rights, call the Seattle Office for Civil Rights
at (206) 684-4500 (TTY 206-684-4503), or visit SOCR in the Central Building
in downtown Seattle, 810 Third Avenue, Suite 750. All services are free
and language interpreters are provided upon request.
If you are unsure if you have experienced discrimination, take the time
to talk with our intake investigator to clarify your options. For more information,
visit us on the web at www.seattle.gov/civilrights/.
Settlements and Cases of Interest
Here is a sampling of the many illegal discrimination cases that the Seattle
Office for Civil Rights settled or negotiated during 2006. Names of the
parties have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Rachael Devera vs Muddy River BBQ
Ms. Devera was a food prep worker for Muddy River BBQ. According to Ms.
Devera, after she told her manager that she was pregnant the manager began
to refer to her as the “knocked up one.” When Ms. Devera requested
pay stubs to provide to the State the manager said, “Oh, for your
welfare – right?” Ms. Devera finally quit her position due to
the stress and harassment. In a negotiated settlement, the parties agreed
that Ms. Devera will receive $3,200 in restored pay and the manager will
attend fair employment training with emphasis on sexual harassment.
Omar Noori vs Norton Transmission
Mr. Noori worked for Norton Transmission from March 2003 until his termination
in August 2005. Mr. Noori charged that he was discriminated against because
of his Muslim religion and Afghani national origin. Mr. Noori alleged that
another mechanic who worked the graveyard shift with him called him derogatory
names and verbally abused him. The harassment climaxed when the other mechanic
on duty came at Mr. Noori with a hammer, yelling derogatory comments and
attempting to incite a fight. A passerby broke up the confrontation. Mr.
Noori reported this to the owner, who advised him to switch to the day shift
or leave. Mr. Noori was not called back to work after this incident. Mr.
Noori withdrew his change after receiving $6,000 from Norton Transmission.
James Tucker vs Hill Top Medical Center
James Tucker believed he was discriminated against based on his sexual
orientation. Mr. Tucker went to Hill Top Medical Center for a procedure
with his partner. Hospital staff told him that in order to have the procedure
he would need to provide a blood relative’s phone number as a contact.
Mr. Tucker explained that the man with him was his partner, but the staff
refused to allow his partner to serve as the contact person. In a negotiated
settlement, Hill Top Medical Center agreed to conduct on site training for
its clerical staff. The training will cover procedures for acquiring information
about a patient’s next of kin, focusing on the Washington State Law
regarding consent priority if a patient becomes incapacitated, and alternative
registration information options for patients whose families do not fit
within the statutory framework.
Your
Rights!
 Questions and answers about discrimination
By Germaine Covington, Director
Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Dear Germaine,
My landlord charged me a hundred dollar “surcharge” on
my damage deposit, claiming they’ve had too much trouble with
teenage boys in the apartment complex. My sons are 15 and 13. Well,
I’ve never heard of anything like that. Is it legal to charge
different damage deposits to different renters?
Suspicious
Dear Suspicious,
Landlords must charge the same damage deposit to all renters in an apartment
complex. They cannot adjust a damage deposit based on the number of your
children, their age, their gender, or even the fact that you have children
in the first place.
Call the Seattle Office for Civil Rights at 684-4500 to talk with our
intake worker. If an investigation determines that the “surcharge” on
your damage deposit is not legal, our office can help negotiate a fair
settlement between you and your landlord.
Dear Germaine,
A fast-food restaurant near where I work has posted a sign that says, “Customers
must leave premises after 45 minutes.” The manager claims the
rule applies to everybody, but the only people I’ve ever seen
him ask to leave are teens from the nearby high school. Can a restaurant
do that?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Yes … and no. A restaurant can establish time limits for
its patrons, and it must enforce those rules fairly. But there
may be nothing illegal about this particular restaurant’s actions.
Why? Because Seattle 's Public Accommodations law (SMC 14.06.030) includes
an exemption that allows businesses to impose "special arrangements
for minor children" or "age limits up to the age of 21. So a
restaurant which “discriminates” against teenagers may offend
you, but it is not necessarily breaking the law.
It may be a different story if the restaurant is using its time limits
as a smoke screen to discriminate against people for other reasons, such
as race, national origin or sex. For example, say the restaurant only
enforced its time limit with African American teenagers, or teens that
are all male. That would be potentially illegal, because race and gender
are both protected classes.
When it comes to complaints about discrimination, the devil is in the
details … The answers in this column are not intended as legal
advice. Every situation is different and unique. It is impossible to determine
whether unlawful discrimination has occurred based on a brief description.
That is why the Seattle Office for Civil Rights employs trained, professional
investigators. If you have a specific case you would like to discuss,
call SOCR at 684-4500.
Do you have a question about illegal discrimination in the City of Seattle ?
E-mail your question to brenda.anibarro@seattle.gov.
You also can write to Your Rights!, c/o Seattle Office
for Civil Rights, 810 3 rd Avenue, Ste. 750, Seattle, WA 98104-1627,
or call in your question by dialing 684-4514.
Staff Profiles: Felicia Yearwood-Murrell & Elliott Bronstein
Meet Felicia Yearwood-Murell and Elliott Bronstein, two staff members
who contribute greatly to the work of SOCR.
Felicia Yearwood-Murrell
What role do you fulfill at SOCR?
As a Civil Rights Analyst, I investigate claims of discrimination in housing,
employment, public accommodations, and contracting with the City of Seattle
.
What issues are you passionate about?
I care about education: I teach a free SAT prep course on the weekends
and serve as PTA President at my daughter’s school. My hobbies include
reading, gardening, home improvement, and crafting.
What is your favorite thing about working at SOCR?
The best thing about my job is that I get to help people resolve conflicts.
It’s also satisfying to provide training on disability rights and
fair housing issues.
Elliott Bronstein
What role do you fulfill at SOCR?
I am SOCR's Public Information Officer (PIO). Because SOCR is a small
department, being a PIO is a jack-of-all-trades position. I handle media
inquiries, coordinate outreach and written materials, and give presentations
and training to the public. I'm also on the Coordinating Committee for the
Race and Social Justice Initiative, an effort to end institutional racism
within City government.
What issues are you passionate about?
Bicycling, literature, and race and social justice. Note the alphabetical
order. I guess my idea of a perfect moment would be riding my bike while
reading Ralph Ellison. Until I run into a parked car.
What is your favorite thing about working at SOCR?
It has to be the people who also work here. I know that's a corny thing
to say, but it's true. Plus I get paid to work on things that I care deeply
about. How lucky can you get?
Fair Housing Poster Rule
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights has proposed a rule relating to required
posting of the Seattle Open Housing Poster. The Public has until December
15th, 2006 to comment on the proposed rule.
Read
more
2004-2005 Annual Report
SOCR has just released our 2004-2005
Annual Report - Acrobat PDF 1.8 MB
To request a printed copy please call 684-4500.
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