[Adopted 9-21-1999, effective 10-4-1999; amended in its entirety 9-17-2002, effective 9-30-2002]
The following terms and words are applicable to this article
and shall have the meaning and effect as follows:
In addition to its ordinary meaning: religion or religious
practice.
In addition to its ordinary meaning, means ancestry.
Physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical,
physiological or neurological conditions which prevents the exercise
of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically accepted
clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques.
Applies to persons 60 years of age or older.
A person's actual or perceived homosexuality, heterosexuality,
or bisexuality.
Applying for or enjoying employment, or any prerequisite thereof;
Applying for, enrolling in or attending any school or college;
Applying for, using or occupying housing accommodations and
commercial space;
Using and enjoying the goods, services, facilities, privileges
or advantages of any public accommodation as defined in state or federal
law, and all public conveyances operated on land or water or in the
air as well as the stations and terminals thereof;
Using public streets, roads, highways, bridges, alleys, avenues,
driveways, sidewalks, thoroughfares, boardwalks, parks and public
spaces;
Applying for, participating in or enjoying any benefit, service,
privilege, program, facility or activity provided or administered
by the United States or New York State or any subdivision thereof
or the City of Buffalo;
Enjoying the security of one's own person; or
Exercising or attempting to exercise any right secured by the
Charter of the City of Buffalo, Constitution of this state or of the
United States.
Includes a person's actual or perceived gender, as well
as a person's gender identity, self-image, appearance, expression
or behavior, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance,
expression or behavior is different from that traditionally associated
with the person's sex at birth.
The Common Council of the City of Buffalo hereby finds that
the declared policy of the City of Buffalo is to eliminate group prejudice,
intolerance, bigotry and discrimination within the City and to encourage
equality of treatment for, and prevent discrimination against, persons
of all races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, genders, gender identity
and expression, sexual preferences or disabilities, pursuant to the
powers of the City of Buffalo to maintain order and preserve and care
for the safety, health, comfort and general welfare of its inhabitants
and visitors.
[Amended 10-13-2015]
Any person who, with the intent to deprive an individual or
group of individuals of the exercise of their civil rights because
of the individual's or individuals' race, creed, color,
national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, disability,
age, or sexual orientation, commits an unlawful discriminatory practice
in violation of an individual's civil rights, or causes damage
to the property of another or causes physical injury or death to another
shall be liable, in a civil action or proceeding maintained by such
individual or group of individuals for injunctive relief, damages,
or any other appropriate relief in law or equity. In any such action
or proceeding, the court, in its discretion, may allow the party commencing
such action or proceeding, if such party prevails, a reasonable attorney's
fee as part of the costs.
