[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:
CREED
In addition to its ordinary meaning: religion or religious practice.
NATIONAL ORIGIN
In addition to its ordinary meaning, means ancestry.
DISABILITY
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.
AGE
Applies to persons 60 years of age or older.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
A person's actual or perceived homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality.
CIVIL RIGHTS
A. 
Applying for or enjoying employment, or any prerequisite thereof;
B. 
Applying for, enrolling in or attending any school or college;
C. 
Applying for, using or occupying housing accommodations and commercial space;
D. 
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;
E. 
Using public streets, roads, highways, bridges, alleys, avenues, driveways, sidewalks, thoroughfares, boardwalks, parks and public spaces;
F. 
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;
G. 
Enjoying the security of one's own person; or
H. 
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.
GENDER IDENTITY AND EXPRESSION
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.