Since June 5, 2012, the Broward County Human Rights Section (BCHRS) in partnership with Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence Inc. (HOPE Inc.) will use funds earmarked by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Partnership grant funding to provide outreach and education efforts to ensure that HUD housing and programs are open to all families, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. BCHRS and HOPE Inc. will collaborate in providing fair housing training and outreach events to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender (LGBT) community. 

The Human Rights Section investigates complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations for individuals in Broward County, that violate local and federal statutes. This section champions the rights of those who might otherwise be denied their civil liberties and seeks to promote tolerance and further cultural and social understanding.

Discrimination is Unlawful

Discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, pregnancy and gender expression/identity are unlawful in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It is prohibited by the Broward County Human Rights Act (Broward County Code and Ordinance Chapter 16½). The Act also prohibits reprisals that punish you because you have filed charges or spoken out against an unlawful discriminatory practice (retaliation).

The law also prohibits an employer, employment agency or labor organization to retaliate against you because you have filed a charge or complained about an unlawful employment practice. The Broward County Human Rights Act has been recently amended to cover employers with five (5) or more employees.

The Laws

Chapter 16½, of the Broward County Code of Ordinances prohibits certain discriminatory practices with respect to employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Sex discrimination includes pregnancy based discrimination.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, prohibits discrimination in employment based on age.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, prohibits discrimination based on disability, record of a disability, or perceived as a person with a disability.

The Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 prohibits marital status discrimination.

Political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and age under 40 are prohibited only under the Broward County Human Rights Ordinance.

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