Show All Answers

1. What is the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance?

The Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance is a part of City code which defines how human rights are protected within the City of Charlottesville. It also specifies the roles that the Office of Human Rights and the Human Rights Commission in enforcing those protections. The Human Rights Ordinance states that:

It shall be unlawful and a violation of this article for any person, partnership, corporation or other entity to engage in discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and education on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, marital status or disability.

Under the Human Rights Ordinance, the term "unlawful discriminatory practice" includes conduct in violation of any comparable Virginia or federal statute or regulation governing unlawful discrimination.

2. What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are life activities that all people should have the freedom to pursue without fear of discrimination or harassment.

3. What is the Human Rights Commission?

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is a group of volunteers appointed by City Council to promote an inclusive, empowered, and diverse community through community education and engagement, as well as enforcement of the Human Rights Ordinance. The HRC also reviews City policies and provides recommendations to City Council for changes in policy that promote and protect human rights. View more information on the Commission page.