Know Your Rights: LGBTQ Rights in Vermont

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歧视

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Discrimination | Public Accommodations | Vermont

Vermont Public Accommodations Q&A

What is a “place of public accommodation”?

A “place of public accommodation” means “any school, restaurant, store, establishment or other facility at which services, facilities, goods, privileges, advantages, benefits, or accommodations are offered to the general public” (9 V.S.A. § 4501).

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in places of public accommodation?

Yes. Vermont was among the first states to pass a comprehensive statewide law prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination in 1992 (See, e.g., 21 V.S.A. § 495 (employment)). “Sexual orientation” is defined as “female or male homosexuality, heterosexuality or bisexuality (1 V.S.A. § 143).

In May 2007, Vermont became the third state in New England to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity (Public Act 41, An Act Relating to Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity, 2007-2008 Leg., Reg. Sess. (Vt. 2007)). The law defines gender identity as “an individual’s actual or perceived gender identity, or gender-related characteristics intrinsically related to an individual’s gender or gender-identity, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth” (1 V.S.A § 144).

These laws also prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV based on disability. For more information, see: HIV/AIDS – Know Your Rights – GLAD.

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBTQ+ in places of public accommodation?

As to sexual orientation, maybe.

As to gender identity, and as noted above, gender identity is defined as either “actual or perceived gender identity.” This language includes discrimination based upon perception.

What does the law say about discrimination in places of public accommodation?

Such places may not, on account of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or other protected characteristic, “refuse, withhold from or deny to that person any of the accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of the place of public accommodation” (9 V.S.A. § 4502 (a)).

The protections based on marital status mean that a place of public accommodation may not discriminate against same-sex couples who are married or in a civil union (15 V.S.A. § 1204 (e)(7) (prohibitions against discrimination based on marital status apply equally to parties to a civil union). See also discussion of civil unions below). However, a religious organization or any nonprofit organization operated, supervised or controlled by a religious organization shall not be required to provide services, accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods or privileges relating to the solemnization or celebration of a marriage (9 V.S.A. § 4502(l)).

There is an exception to this rule, stating that this law does not prohibit an establishment that provides lodging to transient guests (i.e. hotels, inns) with five or fewer rooms from restricting its accommodations based on sex or marital status (9 V.S.A. § 4502 (d)).

Public, independent, and post-secondary schools in Vermont are considered public accommodations and so students are protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

我如何提出歧视投诉？

Where you file a complaint depends on the type of discrimination you have experienced (i.e. employment, housing, credit, etc.) and whether the party you are complaining against is a state agency. Sometimes you have more that one option about where to file.

For Public Accommodations (as well as State Employment or Housing):

如果您认为您在就业方面受到了州政府机构的歧视，或者您认为您在公共场所（例如，零售店或其他企业拒绝提供服务）或住房方面受到了歧视，您可以向以下机构提出投诉：

佛蒙特州人权委员会
鲍德温街14-16号
蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05633-6301
(800) 416-2010
(802) 828-1625
(802) 828-2481（传真）
human.rights@vermont.gov

投诉可以亲自、书面、通过传真或电子邮件宣誓提出，陈述有关涉嫌歧视的事实。

您也可以直接向涉嫌歧视发生地所在县的高等法院提起诉讼。

我需要律师吗？

Not necessarily. The processes at all of these agencies are designed to allow people to represent themselves. However, GLAD strongly encourages people to find lawyers to represent them throughout any of these proceedings, as well as if you choose to file a claim directly in the Superior Court. Not only are there many legal rules governing these processes, but employees and other defendants are likely to have legal representation.

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

Complaints of discrimination with the Vermont Human Rights Commission must be filed within one year of the last discriminatory act or acts (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 2). The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Unit also has a policy of requiring complaints to be filed within one year. If you are going to bring a case directly in Superior Court, you should file within three years of the last discriminatory act, although under certain circumstances you may be able to file after that time. There are very few exceptions for lateness, and GLAD encourages people to move promptly in filing claims.

向委员会或民权部门提出投诉后会发生什么？

If you file with the Human Rights Commission, Commission staff will review your complaint to see if it meets the basic requirements for filing a discrimination claim. If they decide to investigate, a copy of your complaint is sent to the party against whom the complaint has been filed— the respondent— who has to respond to the allegations within fourteen (14) days (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 10). The Commission then assigns an investigator, who will look into your claims to see if there are reasonable grounds to believe that you have been discriminated against. In doing so, the investigator may examine and copy records and documents, and conduct interviews of all relevant parties and witnesses. The five Commissioners appointed by the governor then decide whether there are reasonable grounds to credit your allegations (9 V.S.A. §§ 4551(a) and 4554(d) – (e)).

The Human Rights Commission allows the parties to engage in voluntary settlement discussions to resolve the case at any point during the investigative process. If these efforts fail, at the end of the investigation the Human Rights Commission issues findings stating whether there was a violation of law.

如果有合理理由， the Commission will send the case for “conciliation” or settlement proceedings, unless the Commission finds an emergency. If negotiations fail to produce a settlement agreeable to all parties within six months, the Commission will either file a claim against the respondent in the Superior Court or dismiss the proceedings, unless the parties agree to an extension in order to complete ongoing negotiations (9 V.S.A. § 4554(e); Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rules 31-32).

如果没有发现非法歧视的合理理由, the case will be dismissed at the Commission (9 V.S.A. § 4554(d

At this point, or at any point in the process at the Commission, you may decide to file a case in court. It is crucial to always keep in mind the deadlines for filing such a case, as discussed above. If you do so while an investigation is pending at the Commission, the Commission will administratively dismiss the investigation although the Commission may file its own complaint regarding the matter or intervene in your court action (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 27).

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

In public accommodations (and housing) cases, remedies may include injunctive relief, compensatory damages (expenses actually incurred because of unlawful action), and punitive damages (9 V.S.A. § 4506(a)). In addition, criminal penalties of fines up to $1000 may be imposed (9 V.S.A. § 4507).

在所有这些案件中，法院可以裁定律师费、费用（9 VSA §4506(b)(公共设施和住房)；21 VSA §495b(2)(就业)）以及其他符合反歧视法宗旨的适当救济（例如培训计划、张贴通知、允许个人不受歧视地进入和使用公共设施）。

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was discriminated against both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

Yes. The state anti-discrimination laws for employment forbid taking any action against someone because of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, place of birth, age, disability, HIV-related blood testing, family leave, and workers’ compensation. In public accommodations, the criteria are expanded to include marital status, but do not include age, ancestry and place of birth. In housing, the criteria are expanded to include intending to occupy a dwelling with one or more minor children and receipt of public assistance, but do not include ancestry and place of birth.

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

Possibly, depending on the facts of your particular situation. This publication concerns only Vermont anti-discrimination law, and you may well have other rights.

州或联邦法院： After or instead of filing with the Commission, you may decide to file the case in court. You may file in state court at any point within the time limitations, as discussed above

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

Contact GLAD Answers by filling out the email form at GLAD 答案 or by phone at 1-800-455-4523 (GLAD) to discuss options.

Some people prefer to meet with an attorney to evaluate the strength of their claims before filing a case. It is always helpful to bring the attorney an outline of what happened, organized by date and with an explanation of who the various players are (and how to get in touch with them). GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

资源

For more information about the Human Rights Commission complaint process see: Filing a Complaint | Human Rights Commission

For information about discrimination protections for people living with HIV, see: HIV/AIDS – Know Your Rights – GLAD

案件与辩护

To see Discrimination cases or advocacy which GLAD has been directly involved with in Vermont, go to: 案件和辩护 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Discrimination” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

新闻与新闻稿

To see news and press releases about Discrimination in Vermont, go to: 新闻与新闻稿 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Discrimination” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

Discrimination | Employment | Vermont

Vermont Employment Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in employment?

These laws also prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV based on disability. For more information, see: HIV/AIDS – Know Your Rights – GLAD

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBT in employment?

As to sexual orientation, maybe. Although the anti-discrimination laws themselves do not distinguish between actual and perceived sexual orientation, the questionnaire used by the Civil Rights Unit of the Attorney General’s Office allows people to complain of discrimination on account of both sexual orientation and perceived sexual orientation. However, the Human Rights Commission does not make this distinction in its employment complaint form. There is no case law on this.

As to gender identity, and as noted above, gender identity is defined as either “actual or perceived gender identity.” This language includes discrimination based upon perception.

To whom does the non-discrimination law apply and what does it forbid?

The non-discrimination law prohibits any employer, employment agency or labor organization from discriminating against any individual because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity (21 V.S.A. § 495 (a)(1)). This applies to both private and government employers and covers most significant job actions, such as hiring, firing, failure to promote, demotion, excessive discipline, harassment and different treatment of the employee and similarly situated co-workers (21 V.S.A. § 495 (a); § 495d(1) (definition of employer)).

In addition, employment agencies may not participate in discrimination by refusing to classify or refer their customers for employment or otherwise discriminate because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Unions may not deny union membership or otherwise discriminate against its members because of sexual orientation or gender identity (21 V.S.A. § 495 (a)(4)).

The law also forbids these entities from advertising in such a way as to restrict employment or membership because of sexual orientation or gender identity (21 V.S.A. § 495 (a)(2)).

Does the law apply to every employer in Vermont?

No. As broad as the law is, there are exceptions to its application.

An employer, agency or labor organization may defend against a discrimination claim by arguing that a “bona fide occupational qualification” of the particular job to have a non-LGBT employee fill it (21 V.S.A. § 495(a)). There are no general occupational exemptions from the reach of the non-discrimination law, however, and this defense is very rarely successful.
As to sexual orientation and gender identity, religious organizations – and charitable or educational organizations operated, supervised or controlled by a religious organization – are exempt from the law to the extent that they give a “preference to persons of the same religion or denomination” or take “any action with respect to matters of which is calculated by the organization to promote the religious principles for which it is established or maintained (21 V.S.A. § 495(e)). This exemption, however, is not a carte blanche for an employer to use his or her religious beliefs as a justification for discriminating against persons because of their sexual orientation or actual or perceived gender identity.

Does the Vermont law prohibit sexual harassment?

Yes. Sexual harassment is specifically prohibited under the law. Vermont law defines sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination that means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

submission to that conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; or
submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a component of the basis for employment decisions affecting that individual; or
the conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment (21 V.S.A. § 495d (13)).

Because sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, a claim of harassment can be pursued in the same ways as other discrimination claims, as discussed below.

In addition to prohibiting sexual harassment, Vermont law requires all employers, employment agencies and labor organizations to ensure a workplace free of sexual harassment by adopting a policy against sexual harassment, posting a notice outlining that policy, and providing all employees an individual written copy of the policy (21 V.S.A. § 495h).

It is as unlawful to sexually harass a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person as it is to harass anyone else. Some harassment is specifically anti-gay and may be more fairly characterized as harassment on the basis of sexual orientation. Other harassment is because of the person’s actual or perceived gender identity and may be characterized as harassment on the basis of gender identity. Still other harassment is sexual in nature and more appropriately categorized as sexual harassment. All these types of harassment can happen to the same person, and all are forbidden under Vermont state law.

Both the United States Supreme Court and several state courts have found same-sex sexual harassment to violate sexual harassment laws (compare Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, 523 U.S. 75, 118 S.Ct. 998 (1998) (man can sue for sexual harassment by other men under federal sexual harassment laws)).

我如何提出歧视投诉？

State Employment (as well as Public Accommodations or Housing):

如果您认为您在就业方面受到了州政府机构的歧视，或者您认为您在公共场所（例如，零售店或其他企业拒绝提供服务）或住房方面受到了歧视，您可以向以下机构提出投诉：

佛蒙特州人权委员会
鲍德温街14-16号
蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05633-6301
(800) 416-2010
(802) 828-1625
(802) 828-2481（传真）
human.rights@vermont.gov

投诉可以亲自、书面、通过传真或电子邮件宣誓提出，陈述有关涉嫌歧视的事实。

您也可以直接向涉嫌歧视发生地所在县的高等法院提起诉讼。

General Employment:

If you believe you have been discriminated against by a party other than the state (for example, a private business or a town), you may file a complaint under oath with the:

民权部门
佛蒙特州总检察长办公室
州街109号
蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05609-1001
(888) 745-9195（仅限佛蒙特州免费）
(802) 828-3657
(802) 828-3665（文本电话）
(802) 828-2154（传真）
ago.civilrights@vermont.gov

投诉方必须填写一份调查问卷，民权部门会将其发送给您，您也可以在 STATE OF VERMONT OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION QUESTIONNAIRE CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT

您也可以直接向涉嫌歧视发生地所在县的高等法院提起诉讼。

我需要律师吗？

Not necessarily. The processes at all of these agencies are designed to allow people to represent themselves. However, GLAD strongly encourages people to find lawyers to represent them throughout any of these proceedings, as well as if you choose to file a claim directly in the Superior Court. Not only are there many legal riles governing these processes, but employees and other defendants are likely to have legal representation. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

Complaints of discrimination with the Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC) must be filed within one year of the last discriminatory act or acts (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 2). The Attorney General’s Civil Rights Unit (CRU) also has a policy of requiring complaints to be filed within one year. If you are going to bring a case directly in Superior Court, you should file within three years of the last discriminatory act, although under certain circumstances you may be able to file after that time. There are very few exceptions for lateness, and GLAD encourages people to move promptly in filing claims.

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was fired both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

向委员会或民权部门提出投诉后会发生什么？

如果您向人权委员会提交投诉，委员会工作人员将审查您的投诉，以确定其是否符合提起歧视索赔的基本要求。如果他们决定进行调查，您的投诉副本将发送给被投诉方（即被告），被告必须在十四 (14) 天内对指控作出回应（佛蒙特州法规 80-250-001，规则 10）。然后，委员会将指派一名调查员，调查您的索赔，以确定是否有合理理由相信您受到了歧视。在调查过程中，调查员可能会检查和复制记录和文件，并采访所有相关方和证人。然后，由州长任命的五名专员决定是否有合理理由采纳您的指控（9 VSA §§ 4551(a) 和 4554(d) – (e)）。

If you file a complaint with the Civil Rights Unit (CRU), the process is very similar., and is described in detail on the CRU’s website: Civil Rights Unit Process – Office of the Vermont Attorney General

The Human Rights Commission and the CRU both allow the parties to engage in voluntary settlement discussions to resolve the case at any point during the investigative process. If these efforts fail, at the end of the investigation the Human Rights Commission or the CRU issues findings stating whether there was a violation of law.

如果有合理理由， 除非委员会认定情况紧急，否则委员会将把案件送交“调解”或和解程序。如果谈判未能在六个月内达成各方均可接受的和解，委员会将向高等法院对被告提起诉讼，或驳回诉讼，除非各方同意延期以完成正在进行的谈判（《佛蒙特州公平分配法》第9卷第4554(e)节；《佛蒙特州法典》第80-250-001条，第31-32条）。

Similarly, if the CRU finds a violation of law, the respondent will be asked to engage in settlement negotiations to try to resolve the case. If these negotiations fail, the CRU may file a complaint against the respondent in Superior Court.

如果没有发现非法歧视的合理理由, the case will be dismissed at the Commission (9 V.S.A. § 4554(d)). If the CRU finds no violation of law, the file will be closed.

At this point, or at any point in the process at the Commission or the CRU, you may decide to file a case in court. It is crucial to always keep in mind the deadlines for filing such a case, as discussed above. If you do so while an investigation is pending at the Commission, the Commission will administratively dismiss the investigation although the Commission may file its own complaint regarding the matter or intervene in your court action (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 27).

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

对于就业案件，成功投诉人的补救措施可能包括聘用、复职或升级、补发工资、预付工资、退还工资或其他福利、赔偿金（包括精神损害赔偿金）、民事处罚（如适用）和惩罚性赔偿（21 VSA § 495b）。

我还可以向联邦机构提出歧视投诉吗？

Yes. Federal employment non-discrimination law, called Title VII, applies to employers with at least 15 employees.

Someone who brings a claim of discrimination may sometimes pursue protections under both state and federal law. This is true because there may be overlapping provisions of state and federal law. For example, Title VII forbids employment discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, and disability (which includes HIV status), but does not expressly forbid discrimination based on “sexual orientation” or “gender identity.”

However, in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, No. 17-1618 (S. Ct. June 15, 2020, see: 17-1618 Bostock v. Clayton County (06/15/2020), the Supreme Court held that firing individuals because of their sexual orientation or transgender status violates Title VII’s prohibition on discrimination because of sex. For more information on how the EEOC enforces discrimination against LGBT employees, see: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Discrimination | US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

GLAD recommends that, where there may be overlapping state and federal jurisdiction, you explore filing with the HRC or CRU first but keep in mind the possibility of pursuing a federal claim as well. If you have a sexual orientation or gender identity complaint, you should check off “sex” as well as “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” as the bases for your claim and request that the HRC or CRU cross-file your complaint with the EEOC.

Federal complaints must be filed within 180 days of the discriminatory act with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). However, if you initially institute your complaint with HRC or CRU and indicate that you wish to have the complaint cross-filed with the EEOC, then the time limit is extended to the earlier of 300 days or 30 days after HRC or CRU has terminated the case (34 United States Code 42 sec. 2000e-5(e)(1)). If you want to cross-file with the EEOC, you submit your complaint to the HRC or CRU within 300 days and not the usual 1 year. (People who work for federal agencies are beyond the scope of this publication.)

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

有可能，具体取决于您的具体情况。本出版物仅涉及佛蒙特州反歧视法，您可能还享有其他权利。

联盟： If you are a member of a union, your contract (collective bargaining agreement) may provide additional rights to you in the event of discipline, discharge or other job-related actions. In fact, if you obtain relief under your contract, you may decide not to pursue other remedies. Get and read a copy of your contract and contact a union representative about filing a complaint. Deadlines in contracts are strict. Bear in mind that if your union refuses to assist you with a complaint, you may have a discrimination action against them for their failure to work with you, or for failure of duty of fair representation.
州或联邦法院： After or instead of filing with the Commission, the CRU or the EEOC, you may decide to file the case in court. You may file in state court at any point within the time limitations, as discussed above. In order to file in federal court, however, you must remove your case from the EEOC, and there are rules about when and how you must do this that the EEOC can explain.

In addition, you may file a court case to address other claims that are not appropriately handled by discrimination agencies, such as when you are fired in violation of a contract, fired without the progressive discipline promised in an employee handbook, or fired for doing something the employer doesn’t like but that the law requires. Similarly, if you have a claim for a violation of constitutional rights – for instance, if you are a teacher or a governmental employee who believes his or her free speech or equal protection rights were violated – then those matters must also be heard in court.

What can I do if my employer fires me because I filed a complaint of discrimination?

It is illegal to retaliate against someone for filing a discrimination claim, and you could file an additional complaint against the employer or landlord for retaliation. “Retaliation” protections cover those who participate in proceedings, or otherwise oppose unlawful conduct. If the employer or landlord takes action against an employee or tenant because of that conduct, then the employee or tenant can state a claim of retaliation (9 V.S.A. § 4506(e)(retaliation prohibited in public accommodations and housing); 21 V.S.A. § 495(a)(8) (retaliation prohibited in employment). 另请参阅 Provencher 诉 CVS 药房案， 145 F.3d 5 (1st Cir. 1998)（支持一名男同性恋者根据联邦第七章提起性骚扰索赔的联邦报复索赔）。

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

Contact GLAD Answers by filling out the email form at GLAD 答案 or by phone at 1-800-455-4523 (GLAD) to discuss options.

As a general matter, people who are still working under discriminatory conditions have to evaluate how filing a case will affect their job, and if they will be able to handle those possible consequences. Of course, even if a person has been fired, they may decide it is not worth it to pursue a discrimination claim. This is an individual choice, which should be made after gathering enough information and advice to make an informed decision.

Some people prefer to meet with an attorney to evaluate the strength of their claims before filing a case. It is always helpful to bring the attorney an outline of what happened, organized by date and with an explanation of who the various players are (and how to get in touch with them). Try to have on hand copies of your employee handbooks or personnel manuals, as well as any contracts, job evaluations, memos, discharge letters and the like. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

资源

For more information about the employment complaint process see:

For information about discrimination protections for people living with HIV, see: https://www.gladlaw.org/issues/hivaids/.

For more information about filing an EEOC discrimination complaint see: How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination.

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Discrimination | Credit, Lending & Services | Vermont

Vermont Credit, Lending & Services Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in credit, lending and services?

These laws also prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV based on disability. For more information, see: HIV/AIDS – Know Your Rights – GLAD.

Does it also protect people perceived LGBTQ+ in credit, lending and services?

As to sexual orientation, maybe.

As to gender identity, and as noted above, gender identity is defined as either “actual or perceived gender identity.” This language includes discrimination based upon perception.

How does Vermont anti-discrimination law protect people with regard to credit and loans?

佛蒙特 8 V.S.A. § 10403 prohibits discrimination by financial service providers based on sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

The law applies to financial institutions regulated by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation that deny, revoke or terminate “credit services” for a discriminatory reason. “Credit services” include credit cards, personal loans, mortgage loans and commercial loans.

To implement this law, the Department of Financial Regulation promulgated a rule (B-2015-01) that focuses on the notice that is required when adverse action is taken by a financial institution against an applicant. When adverse action is taken, the financial institution is required to provide the applicant with a written statement of reasons for the action.

For commercial credit transactions, the statement of reasons must contain the specific reasons for the adverse action and must cite documentation or business judgment that supports the adverse action.

In addition, Vermont law provides specific non-discrimination provisions with regard to the issuance of motor vehicle retail installment contracts (9 V.S.A. § 2410), and agricultural finance leases (9 V.S.A. § 2362).

例子： GLAD brought and won a claim against a credit union that refused to allow a feminine appearing man to apply for a loan until he came back looking more masculine. A federal court ruled that this constituted a claim of sex discrimination in violation of the credit non-discrimination laws (9 V.S.A. § 2488).

How does Vermont anti-discrimination law protect people concerning insurance purchases?

Vermont law prohibits discrimination against an applicant for insurance or an insured person based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or sex with regard to underwriting standards and practices, eligibility requirements, and rates (8 V.S.A. § 4724(7)(B)(i) and (ii)).

Insurers are also prohibited from directly or indirectly investigating or inquiring as to an applicant’s, insured’s or beneficiary’s sexual orientation or gender identity in an application for insurance coverage or in connection with an application, as well as from using information about gender, marital status, medical history, occupation, living arrangements, beneficiaries, zip codes or other territorial designations to determine sexual orientation or gender identity (8 V.S.A. § 4724(7)(C)(i)).

Insurers may not use sexual orientation, gender identity, or beneficiary designation in the underwriting process or in determining eligibility for insurance (8 V.S.A. § 4724(7)(C)(ii)).

In addition, state-regulated insurers may not discriminate between married couples and parties to a civil union with regard to offering insurance benefits to a couple, a spouse, a party to a civil union, or their families (8 V.S.A. § 4724(7)(E)).

我可以一次提交多种类型的歧视投诉吗？

Yes, if you are discriminated against based on more than one of the protected characteristics, you can file a complaint based on all of those characteristics. For example, if you are discriminated against because you are transgender and a Latina, you can file a complaint based on both of those characteristics.

我如何提出歧视投诉？

If you believe you have been discriminated against in the provision of credit services or retail installment contracts by a bank, credit union, mortgage broker, sales finance company, debt adjuster or money service, OR

If you believe you have been discriminated against by an insurance company or agent, including auto, homeowners, life, annuity, major medical, dental, long-term care or Medicare supplement.

You may file a complaint with the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. There are links for filing a complaint at: File a Complaint or Ask for Help | Department of Financial Regulation or you can contact the Department at:

金融监管部

Consumer Services

主街89号

蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05620-3101

802-828-3301

833-DFR-Hotline (toll free)

If you believe you have been discriminated against with regard to an agricultural finance lease, you may file a complaint at: Vermont Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at UVM OR contact:

总检察长办公室
消费者援助计划
州街109号
蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05609-1001
(802) 656-3183
(800) 649-2424 (toll free)
ago.civilrights@vermont.gov

OR you can file a lawsuit with the Superior Court of the county where the alleged discrimination occurred.

我需要律师吗？

Not necessarily. The processes at all of these agencies are designed to allow people to represent themselves. However, GLAD strongly encourages people to find lawyers to represent them throughout any of these proceedings, as well as if you choose to file a claim directly in the Superior Court. Not only are there many legal rules governing these processes, but banks and other defendants are likely to have legal representation. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

Contact GLAD Answers by filling out the email form at GLAD 答案 or by phone at 800-455-GLAD (4523) to talk about options.

资源

Discrimination in Banking & Insurance: 10403. Prohibition on discrimination based on sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Non-Discrimination in Financial Services: Non-Discrimination in Financial Services.

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Discrimination | Housing | Vermont

Vermont Housing Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in housing?

These laws also prohibit discrimination against people living with HIV based on disability. For more information, see: HIV/AIDS – Know Your Rights – GLAD.

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBTQ+ in housing?

As to sexual orientation, maybe.

As to gender identity, and as noted above, gender identity is defined as either “actual or perceived gender identity.” This language includes discrimination based upon perception.

What is prohibited by the housing anti-discrimination law in Vermont?

The housing laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in transactions relating to residential housing— including buying, selling, renting, negotiating, listing, advertising, inspecting, or financing— and in the terms, conditions, privileges, services or facilities connected to those transactions (9 V.S.A. § 4501(5)(definition of “dwelling”) and § 4503(a)(setting forth unlawful practices). Also, mobile home park owners are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (10 V.S.A. § 6236 (e)(3)).

The housing law also prohibits discrimination based on marital status, and therefore applies to discrimination against same-sex couples who are married or in a civil union (15 V.S.A. § 1204 (e)(7)).

In addition, it is unlawful to coerce, intimidate, or threaten a person regarding a housing matter, or interfere with a person’s ability to exercise their rights to be free from discrimination in housing (9 V.S.A. § 4506(e)).

Are any landlords exempt from the housing anti-discrimination law?

There are two main exemptions from the law. One allows owners to disregard the law when the owner or a member of the owner’s immediate family resides in the building and the building has three units or less (9 V.S.A. § 4504 (2)).

The other exemption applies to religious institutions and the nonprofit institutes they operate, supervise or control. When such religious entities own or operate a dwelling for non-commercial purposes, they may give preference to persons of the same religion. These kinds of religious restrictions or preferences must be stated in the written policies and procedures of the religious entity (9 V.S.A. § 4504 (5)).

我如何提出歧视投诉？

For Housing (as well as State Employment or Public Accommodations):

如果您认为您在就业方面受到了州政府机构的歧视，或者您认为您在公共场所（例如，零售店或其他企业拒绝提供服务）或住房方面受到了歧视，您可以向以下机构提出投诉：

佛蒙特州人权委员会
鲍德温街14-16号
蒙彼利埃，佛蒙特州 05633-6301
(800) 416-2010
(802) 828-1625
(802) 828-2481（传真）
human.rights@vermont.gov

投诉可以亲自、书面、通过传真或电子邮件宣誓提出，陈述有关涉嫌歧视的事实。

您也可以直接向涉嫌歧视发生地所在县的高等法院提起诉讼。

我需要律师吗？

Not necessarily. The processes at all of these agencies are designed to allow people to represent themselves. However, GLAD strongly encourages people to find lawyers to represent them throughout any of these proceedings, as well as if you choose to file a claim directly in the Superior Court. Not only are there many legal rules governing these processes, but landlords and other defendants are likely to have legal representation. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

Complaints of discrimination with the Vermont Human Rights Commission must be filed within one year of the last discriminatory act or acts (Code of Vermont Rules 80-250-001, Rule 2). If you are going to bring a case directly in Superior Court, you should file within three years of the last discriminatory act, although under certain circumstances you may be able to file after that time. There are very few exceptions for lateness, and GLAD encourages people to move promptly in filing claims.

What happens after a complaint is filed with the Commission?

如果没有发现非法歧视的合理理由, the case will be dismissed at the Commission (9 V.S.A. § 4554(d)).

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

In housing (and public accommodations) cases, remedies may include injunctive relief, compensatory damages (expenses actually incurred because of unlawful action), and punitive damages (9 V.S.A. § 4506(a)). In addition, criminal penalties of fines up to $1000 may be imposed (9 V.S.A. § 4507).

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was discriminated against both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

我还可以向联邦机构提出歧视投诉吗？

Yes. Persons who identify as LGBTQ+ and believe they have experienced housing discrimination because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity can assert their rights under the Fair Housing Act by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can find more detailed information about the protections HUD provides to LGBTQ+ people here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/housing_discrimination_and_persons_identifying_LGBTQ+

There is information about filing a housing discrimination complaint with HUD here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint.

The form for submitting a complaint can be found here: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/DOC_12150.PDF.

HUD views LGBTQ+ discrimination as a form of “sex” discrimination, so if you have a sexual orientation or gender identity complaint, you should indicate “sex” as the discrimination factor.

A HUD complaint must be filed within one year of the last act of discrimination. The statute of limitations for bringing fair housing complaints in federal courts is not later than two years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice. However, if an administrative case is filed with HUD, the statute of limitations is tolled during the period of time in which HUD is evaluating the complaint. In English, what that means is that the time HUD has the case does not count when calculating the two year statute of limitations.

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

有可能，具体取决于您的具体情况。本出版物仅涉及佛蒙特州反歧视法，您可能还享有其他权利。

州或联邦法院： After or instead of filing with the Commission or HUD, you may decide to file the case in court. You may file in state court at any point within the time limitations, as discussed above.

In addition, you may wish to bring a court case to address other claims which are not appropriately handled by discrimination agencies, e.g., if you landlord is not meeting his obligation to provide a safe living space.

What can I do if my landlord evicts me because I filed a complaint of discrimination?

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

Contact GLAD Answers by filling out the email form at GLAD 答案 or by phone at 1-800-455-4523 (GLAD) to discuss options.

As a general matter, people who are still residing under discriminatory conditions have to evaluate how filing a case will affect their housing, and if they will be able to handle those possible consequences. Of course, even if a person has been evicted, they may decide it is not worth it to pursue a discrimination claim. This is an individual choice, which should be made after gathering enough information and advice to make an informed decision.

Some people prefer to meet with an attorney to evaluate the strength of their claims before filing a case. It is always helpful to bring the attorney an outline of what happened, organized by date and with an explanation of who the various players are (and how to get in touch with them). Bring a copy of your lease, along with any notices and letters you have received from your landlord. GLAD Answers can provide referrals to attorneys in GLAD’s Lawyer Referral Service.

资源

For more information about the Human Rights Commission complaint process see: Filing a Complaint | Human Rights Commission

For information about discrimination protections for people living with HIV, see: https://www.gladlaw.org/issues/hivaids/.

For information about the HUD complaint process see:

Learn About the FHEO Complaint and Investigation Process | HUD.gov / US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Violence & Harassment | Hate Crimes & Harassment | Vermont

Vermont Hate Crimes Q&A

Does Vermont have a hate crimes law?

Yes. Vermont law imposes increased penalties for crimes committed because of hatred or animus toward the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, service in the U.S. armed forces, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity (13 V.S.A. § 1455).

In addition to being subject to criminal prosecution, the Attorney General’s office may seek civil penalties from a perpetrator of up to $5000 (payable to the state) plus costs and attorney’s fees for every violation of the criminal hate crimes statute and for violations of any injunctions imposed (see discussion below) (13 V.S.A. § 1466).

法律如何定义仇恨犯罪？

The hate crimes law applies to “[a] person who commits, causes to be committed or attempts to commit any crime and whose conduct is maliciously motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, ancestry, age, service in the U.S. armed forces, disability…, sexual orientation or gender identity” (13 V.S.A. § 1455).

According to the Attorney General’s office, assaults, unlawful mischief (damage or destruction of property), telephone harassment and disorderly conduct (by public yelling of threats and abuse) are the most common hate crimes in Vermont (www.ago.vermont.gov/divisions/civil-rights/hate-crimes.php).

Besides the police, who can I call if I think I’ve been a victim of a hate crime?

In addition to contacting the local police, you may contact the Civil Rights Unit of the Attorney General’s Office toll-free (in Vermont) at (888) 745-9195 or at (802) 828-3657 or AGO.CivilRights@vermont.gov.

如果我认为自己是仇恨犯罪的受害者，我还有什么其他选择？

Victims of hate crimes can also file a civil claim in the Superior Court of the county where they live or where the crime occurred (13 V.S.A. § 1457). These claims can seek:

an order to stop the hate-motivated behavior and restrict the perpetrator’s ability to contact you in any way;
money damages to compensate for the injury caused by the crime;
money damages to punish the perpetrator;
costs and attorney’s fees; and
any other relief the court thinks is appropriate.

Through this process, you have the right to obtain very similar protections to those available to domestic violence victims. (See discussion above). If you have been the victim of a hate crime or of a stalker, you can go to Superior Court and quickly obtain a preliminary order providing protection from the perpetrator of the hate crimes. This order may:

prohibit the perpetrator from committing any crime against you or other people;
prohibit the perpetrator from contacting you; and
prohibit the perpetrator from coming near you, your home, or other places where you are likely to be (i.e. workplace, homes of family members, etc.).

This preliminary order will remain in effect for a period of time set by the court up to 120 days, or until there is a final decision in the case (13 V.S.A. § 1461).

A final order can be issued for up to two years, but the court can extend the order for any amount of time if it finds it is necessary to protect the victim. Violating these kinds of orders is a crime, subject to immediate arrest, imprisonment and fines (13 V.S.A. § 1461(c), 1465(a-b)).

联邦仇恨犯罪法可以通过哪些方式帮助调查和起诉仇恨犯罪？

这 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (see 18 U.S.C. § 249) was passed by Congress on October 22, 2009 and was signed into law by President Obama on October 28, 2009. It expands the 1969 United States federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by a victim’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

首先，或许最重要的是，该法案允许地方和州执法机构向美国司法部长申请以下联邦援助：

为刑事调查和起诉提供调查、技术、法医或检察支持，
与调查和起诉仇恨犯罪相关的额外开支补助，以及
拨款用于打击青少年仇恨犯罪。

在向地方和州当局提供援助时，优先考虑的是仇恨犯罪：

罪犯在多个州犯下罪行，或
这些案件发生在农村地区，而这些地区缺乏起诉此类犯罪所需的资源。

Second, for hate crimes that in some way involve crossing state or national borders, or involve or affect interstate commerce, and where a state does not have jurisdiction or has requested federal assumption of jurisdiction, or where the federal government feels that justice has not been served or that U.S. prosecution is in the public interest, the Act authorizes the federal government to prosecute the case.

该法案还要求联邦调查局追踪基于性别和性别认同的仇恨犯罪统计数据（其他群体的统计数据已在追踪中），以及青少年犯罪和针对青少年的犯罪统计数据。这是第一部明确将法律保护范围扩大到跨性别者的联邦法律。

Does Vermont have an anti-bullying law that protects public, independent and postsecondary students?

Yes. See the topic area “Rights & Protections” in the Issue Area “Youth.”

资源

U.S. Department of Justice information about Vermont Hate Crimes: 2020 Hate Crime Statistics for Vermont.

Information from the Vermont Attorney General: Hate Crimes – Office of the Vermont Attorney General

Vermont’s hate crime law was amended in 2021 to make it easier to prosecute hate crimes, see: 1455. Hate-motivated crimes

案件与辩护

To see Violence & Harassment cases or advocacy which GLAD has been directly involved with in Vermont, go to: 案件和辩护 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Violence & Harassment” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

新闻与新闻稿

To see news and press releases about Violence & Harassment in Vermont, go to: 新闻与新闻稿 – GLAD and under “By Issue” click on “Violence & Harassment” and under “By Location” click on “Vermont.”

Violence & Harassment | Intimate Partner Violence | Vermont

Vermont Intimate Partner Violence Q&A

What is domestic violence?

Under the laws of domestic relations, “abuse” includes causing or trying to cause physical harm; causing fear of imminent serious physical harm; or abuse to children, which includes physical injury, neglect, emotional maltreatment or sexual abuse; stalking; and sexual assault (see 15 V.S.A. § 1101(1)).

Do the domestic violence laws apply to people in same-sex relationships?

In most situations, yes. These laws apply to abuse between family members, which includes civil union spouses, as well as between “household members,” which includes people who are living or have lived together, but also those who have or had a sexual relationship, or who are dating or have dated. To determine whether a dating relationship exists or existed, the court looks to whether the relationship is/was of a romantic nature, how long it has been/was going on, how often the parties interact/ed, and, if the parties have broken up, how long ago the relationship ended (15 V.S.A. § 1101(2)).

How do I get a court order protecting me from an abusive partner?

You can file a complaint seeking relief from abuse in the family division of the superior court in the county in which you live, or, if you have just fled your home, in either your new or old county. There is no fee (15 V.S.A. § 1103(f)).

If you are in immediate danger from harm, you can file an application for a temporary order (15 V.S.A. § 1104). That application can be filed in the criminal, civil or family division of the superior court (15 V.S.A. § 1102(b)). All of the courts are required to have procedures for people to file these applications after regular court hours, or on weekends and holidays (15 V.S.A. § 1106(b)). Temporary orders are generally issued upon request, based on the existence of a relationship between victim and offender that is covered by the law and a credible allegation of abuse or threats of abuse.

The order, a copy of which must be given to the abuser, will state a time within ten days of its being issued for the defendant to contest it (15 V.S.A. § 1104(b)). At the hearing, if the victim proves the abuse, the court will keep the order in effect and make other orders it deems necessary to keep the victim safe (15 V.S.A. § 1104(b)). Once an order is issued, it is filed with the Department of Public Safety’s abuse database. Police and sheriff’s departments, as well as state police district offices are also required to maintain procedures to make personnel aware of the existence and contents of abuse prevention orders (15 V.S.A. § 1107).

The order will stay in effect for a fixed period of time, at the end of which the court may extend it for as long as it deems necessary to protect the victim. The court does not have to find that abuse took place during the time covered by the order to extend it (15 V.S.A. § 1103(e)).

You don’t need a lawyer to get the temporary order, but it may be helpful to have one for later hearings if you think the abuser will contest the order. The court administrators may be able to connect you with agencies that help victims seek relief and gain access to the courts (15 V.S.A. § 1106(b)).

If for some reason you decide not to go through with the legal process, you should show up in court anyway and ask that the order be dismissed. Failure to show up might make the court think you are unreliable if you need legal help in the future.

Violation of an abuse order is a criminal offense and can result in the immediate arrest of the abuser, as well as imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to $1000 (15 V.S.A. § 1108(e)). It is worth noting that restraining orders do not restrict the abuse victim’s activities or contacts.

A victim may participate in an address confidentiality program, through which the Secretary of State gives the victim another address to use in order to keep the actual address confidential from the public (15 V.S.A. § 1152).

There are other laws that prohibit stalking, harassing and trespassing that may also apply to your situation, but are beyond the scope of this document. For more information, you may wish to consult the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services at 1-800-750-1213 (Toll Free in Vermont Only) or (803) 241-1250 or Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.

If I go to court, will I “out” myself for all purposes?

Not necessarily. The courts try to be sensitive to the fact that some people seeking orders may be closeted or may be in a same-sex relationship that they do not want revealed. A relief-from-abuse order is a public record, however.

Where can I go to get help?

In addition to the local police and district attorney, you can contact the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at Vermont Network，在 vtnetwork@vtnetwork.org (email) or 1-800-228-7395. They can provide you with information and assistance and connect you to resources in your area.

Does domestic violence play a role in custody decisions?

Yes. Evidence that a parent has in the past, or is presently, abusing the other parent or the child is a factor showing that that parent is not acting in the best interests of the child (15 V.S.A. § 665(b)(9)).

资源

Information from Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence: Vermont Network.

Domestic Violence Resources: Domestic Violence Resources | Department for Children and Families.

Prevent Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence: Prevent Domestic and Sexual Violence | Vermont Department of Health

Know Your Rights: LGBTQ Rights in Vermont

歧视

Public Accommodations

就业 (跳至章节)

Credit, Lending & Services (跳至章节)

住房 (跳至章节)

暴力与骚扰

Hate Crimes & Harassment (跳至章节)

Intimate Partner Violence (跳至章节)

Discrimination | Public Accommodations | Vermont

Vermont Public Accommodations Q&A

What is a “place of public accommodation”?

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in places of public accommodation?

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBTQ+ in places of public accommodation?

What does the law say about discrimination in places of public accommodation?

我如何提出歧视投诉？

我需要律师吗？

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

向委员会或民权部门提出投诉后会发生什么？

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was discriminated against both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

资源

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Discrimination | Employment | Vermont

Vermont Employment Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in employment?

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBT in employment?

To whom does the non-discrimination law apply and what does it forbid?

Does the law apply to every employer in Vermont?

Does the Vermont law prohibit sexual harassment?

我如何提出歧视投诉？

我需要律师吗？

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was fired both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

向委员会或民权部门提出投诉后会发生什么？

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

我还可以向联邦机构提出歧视投诉吗？

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

What can I do if my employer fires me because I filed a complaint of discrimination?

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

资源

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Discrimination | Credit, Lending & Services | Vermont

Vermont Credit, Lending & Services Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in credit, lending and services?

Does it also protect people perceived LGBTQ+ in credit, lending and services?

How does Vermont anti-discrimination law protect people with regard to credit and loans?

How does Vermont anti-discrimination law protect people concerning insurance purchases?

我可以一次提交多种类型的歧视投诉吗？

我如何提出歧视投诉？

我需要律师吗？

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

资源

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Discrimination | Housing | Vermont

Vermont Housing Q&A

Does Vermont have an anti-discrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in housing?

Does it also protect people perceived to be LGBTQ+ in housing?

What is prohibited by the housing anti-discrimination law in Vermont?

Are any landlords exempt from the housing anti-discrimination law?

我如何提出歧视投诉？

我需要律师吗？

提出歧视投诉的截止日期是什么？

What happens after a complaint is filed with the Commission?

如果个人在法庭上胜诉，法庭可以判决歧视获得哪些法律补救？

Can I file more than one type of discrimination complaint at once, for example, if I believe I was discriminated against both because I am a lesbian and Latina?

我还可以向联邦机构提出歧视投诉吗？

还有其他方式可以提起歧视投诉吗？

What can I do if my landlord evicts me because I filed a complaint of discrimination?

在提出歧视投诉之前我可以做哪些准备？

资源

案件与辩护

新闻与新闻稿

Violence & Harassment | Hate Crimes & Harassment | Vermont

Vermont Hate Crimes Q&A