Does New York City have its own protections, legally, against anti-LGTH violence?
New York City’s Human Rights Law affords protection against discrimination and retaliation in employment, housing, and prohibits bias-related harassment on the basis of a comprehensive list of categories, including sexual orientation. The New York City Commission on Human Rights investigates and prosecutes complaints of discrimination. Their Web site includes instructions on how to file complaints or order copies of the Law. Regarding anti-LGTBH violence, there are no New York City or New York State hate crimes offenses or penalties that cover sexual orientation. anti-LGTBH hate crimes can be reported as such to the police for tracking and reporting purposes. There has been an annual effort in the New York State legislature for over 25 years to pass a hate crimes bill that includes sexual orientation, and each year it has been held up because it explicitly includes sexual orientation.
