Discrimination and harassment at work, including for LGBTQ+ and trans workers

Discrimination is being treated worse than others because of a personal trait the law protects (a protected characteristic). Harassment is one kind of discrimination.

• Discrimination in hiring, firing and working conditions

  NYC residents

  In New York City the law forbids refusing to hire or promote, or firing, someone because of their actual or perceived gender, including being transgender, nonbinary or gender nonconforming. It is also unlawful to set different pay or terms of work, such as assignments and benefits, because of gender.

  nyc.gov

• Harassment

  NYC residents

  Harassment because of gender is also discrimination. It can be a single incident of unequal treatment or repeated behavior, if it creates a workplace atmosphere of stereotyping, degradation, humiliation or bias.

  nyc.gov

• New York State law

  Any status

  The New York State Human Rights Law protects 19 characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and citizenship or immigration status. Still, an employer may refuse to hire someone who is not authorized to work in the United States. People with a conviction record, and with an arrest that ended in their favor, are also protected.

  dhr.ny.gov

You can choose any of them, but the City commission will not take a complaint you already filed on the same facts with a court or another agency, including the State Division or the EEOC.

1. Write down what happened

   Write the date, time, place, what was said and done, who did it and who saw it. For a report to DHR you need the date, a short description, the legal names of those involved and their contact details.

2. Save evidence

   Keep messages, emails, shift schedules, pay stubs, termination letters and anything else that shows the difference in treatment. Keep copies away from work.

3. Do not miss the deadline

   The deadlines are short and count from the last incident. If unsure, file right away so you do not lose your right to a review.

4. Contact the agency you chose

   Fill out the online form. You will be asked about the events, so have your notes and copies at hand.

5. File with the EEOC as well if you may sue in federal court

   File with the City commission first: it will not take a complaint already filed with the EEOC. It no longer files your complaint with the EEOC for you. A job discrimination complaint can generally go to federal court only if it was first filed with the EEOC. So if you may want to sue, also file with the EEOC through the EEOC Public Portal: you have 180 days, or 300 days where a State or City agency enforces a law against the same discrimination. Ask a free lawyer about your own case.

6. Find a free lawyer

   Ask a free lawyer which agency fits your case best and how they work together. QARAVAN can help you find an organization with free lawyers.

• NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)

  NYC residentsFree

  The City agency that enforces the New York City Human Rights Law. It protects employees, independent contractors, interns and job applicants from discrimination because of sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin and immigration status. Free of charge; complaints go through the online form: nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page. Bring to your interview the names and addresses of those you are complaining about and the exact dates of events.

  nyc.gov

• New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR)

  Any statusFree

  The State agency that takes reports of discrimination, including through its online form: webapps.dhr.ny.gov/discrimination-report. You will need the date of the incident, a short description, the legal names and contact details of those involved, and your own contact details. The central office is at One Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY 10458, with a TTY line for people who are deaf or hard of hearing at 718-741-8300.

  dhr.ny.govOne Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY 10458

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

  Any statusFree

  The federal agency against job discrimination because of national origin, race, religion, sex, color, age, disability and genetic information. You have 180 days to file, extended to 300 if a state or local law covers the same discrimination. If there were several incidents of harassment, the deadline counts from the last one.

  eeoc.gov

• Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER)

  Any statusFree

  The federal Department of Justice office that takes complaints about discrimination in hiring and firing because of citizenship, immigration status or national origin, and about improper document demands during the Form I-9 check and in E-Verify. You can stay anonymous, and an interpreter is free. File online: civilrightscharge.justice.gov/ier/charge.

  justice.gov

• Legal Services NYC

  Any statusFree

  Free advice and representation for low-income workers, including discrimination at work. Call 917-661-4500 and press 3 for Russian. Help depends on the lawyers' capacity and where you live.

  917-661-4500legalservicesnyc.orgMon–Fri 9:30 am–4 pm

New York protects LGBTQ+ workers at the City and State levels. The federal EEOC is reviewing its position, so it is more reliable to start with the City or State agency.

• Name, pronouns and title (NYC)

  NYC residentsFree

  New York City law requires employers to use the name, pronouns and title (for example Ms., Mrs., Mx.) a person uses, whatever their sex assigned at birth, anatomy, appearance or the sex on their ID. This also applies to people without documents in that name or a court-ordered name change, with very narrow exceptions such as Form I-9. Intentionally or repeatedly refusing to do so is a violation.

  nyc.gov

• New York State law on sexual orientation and gender identity

  Any statusFree

  State law forbids discrimination because of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, including appearance and behavior, regardless of the sex assigned at birth. This covers work, housing and services.

  dhr.ny.gov

• The federal position of the EEOC

  Any status

  The EEOC says discrimination because of sexual orientation or transgender status is sex discrimination prohibited by Title VII, the federal law against job discrimination, but its guidance is being reviewed and will be revised. In January 2026 the EEOC voted 2 to 1 to rescind its 2024 guidance on workplace harassment. City and State laws name sexual orientation and gender identity directly, so it makes sense to start there.

  eeoc.gov

• Lambda Legal, Help Desk

  Any statusFree

  A nonprofit for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and people with HIV. Its Help Desk gives general legal information and resources on discrimination because of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and HIV status. It does not give legal advice, create an attorney-client relationship or handle emergencies.

  lambdalegal.org

• Criminal record and the NYC Fair Chance Act

  NYC residentsFree

  In New York City an employer generally may not ask about or consider convictions and pending cases until it has made a conditional job offer and assessed your other qualifications. If it then wants to withdraw the offer because of your record, it must follow a special process (the Fair Chance Process). Report violations to the NYC Commission on Human Rights through its online form: nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/report-discrimination.page.

  nyc.gov

• Retaliation

  Any status

  An employer may not punish you for complaining about discrimination. The same goes for complaints about unpaid wages and unsafe conditions.

  dol.ny.gov