Discrimination is illegal
How do I know if I've been treated illegally?
How do I know if I've been treated illegally? The law says that you cannot be treated differently in certain areas because of certain personal characteristics. For instance, you can't be treated differently in employment because of your race. The chart below lists areas in which you are protected and the personal characteristics that cannot be used as a reason to treat you differently.
Jurisdiction of the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA)
| Employment | Housing | Public Accommodations | Public Service | Education | Credit | Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Creed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Religion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| National Origin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sex | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Marital Status | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Disability | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public Assistance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Age | Yes | Yes | |||||
| Sexual Orientation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Family Status | Yes | ||||||
| Reprisal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aiding, Abetting, and Obstruction | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Local Human Rights Commission Activity | Yes |
What if I'm not sure?
Contact the Bloomington Human Rights Commission. They can advise you on what the law says, and how to file a discrimination complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights or provide referrals to other legal resources.
Protected areas
It's illegal to discriminate an individual in the following protected areas. Click each area for a definition and link to more information.
Aiding, Abetting and Obstruction
Aiding, Abetting and Obstruction: to intentionally aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce a person to engage in any of the practices forbidden by the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA)
Business
It is illegal to treat you differently in business because of your race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation.
Credit
It is illegal to treat you differently in credit because of you race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, sexual orientation.
Education
It is illegal to treat you differently in education because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation.
Employment
It is illegal to treat you differently in employment because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation, familial status, or local human rights commission activity.
Housing
It is illegal to treat you differently in housing because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, sexual orientation, or familial status.
Public accommodations
Public accommodation: business, accommodation, refreshment, entertainment, recreation, or transportation facility of any kind, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations are extended, offered, sold, or otherwise made available to the public.
It is illegal to treat you differently in this area because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation.
Public services
Public service: any public facility, department, agency, board or commission, owned, operated or managed by or on behalf of the state of Minnesota, or any subdivision thereof, including any county, city, town, township, or independent district in the state.
It is illegal to treat you differently in this area because of your race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or public assistance.
Reprisal
Reprisal: retaliation, such as intimidation, harassment, or other adverse treatment, motivated by conduct protected under the Human Rights Act. Protected conduct includes filing a charge, opposing discrimination, participating in an investigation of alleged discrimination, and similar activities; and associating with persons of a different race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation or national origin, or persons who have disabilities.
Reprisal is prohibited regardless of whether there was any merit to the complaint of discrimination that led to the retaliation.
Resources:
- Legal Aid
430 1st Ave. N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-332-1441
Providing professional legal help to Minnesotans who traditionally lack access to the American justice system and cannot afford he services of a private attorney.
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Protected classes and resources
Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act §363A, it is illegal to discriminate against an individual based on a protected class. Need help? Click on each area for a definition and resources.
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Age
Age: how old you are. This class is protected only in two areas, employment and education. If a minor (child under 18 years old) wants to file a discrimination charge, they must have a parent or legal guardian do it for them.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse. - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Minneapolis Area Office)
330 S. 2nd Ave., Suite 720
Minneapolis, MN 55401
1-800-669-4044
Investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by the law.
Creed
Creed: a belief system. A creed is very important to a person who believes it. A creed is like a religion, but it does not have to involve a God or Gods.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Legal Aid
430 1st Ave. N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-332-1441
Providing professional legal help to Minnesotans who traditionally lack access to the American justice system and cannot afford the services of a private attorney.
Color
Color: skin color
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Legal Rights Center
1611 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-337-0030
Specializes in adult and juvenile criminal defense, and restorative justice practices and advocacy. - National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
310 E. 38th St. Suite 136, Minneapolis, MN 55409
612-822-8205
To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Public Assistance
Public Assistance: these are government programs that help people with low incomes or special needs. Some examples of public assistance are:
- Medicaid or Medical Assistance
- Food Support (food stamps)
- Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Housing Assistance or Section 8 Assistance
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
- National School Lunch Program's free lunch program
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Legal Aid
430 1st Ave. N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-332-1441
Providing professional legal help to Minnesotans who traditionally lack access to the American justice system and cannot afford the services of a private attorney. - Legal Rights Center
1611 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-337-0030
Specializes in adult and juvenile criminal defense, and restorative justice practices and advocacy.
Disability
Disability: a person has a disability if:
- He or she has a physical, sensory (blindness or deafness for example) or mental impairment
- This impairment "materially interferes" with - it largely gets in the way of - a major life activity; or
- He or she has a record of this kind of impairment; or
- He or she is recognized as having this kind of impairment
Not every injury or illness amounts to "disability" under the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse. - Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC)
430 1st Ave. N., Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
612-332-1441
Provides free civil legal assistance to individuals with disabilities statewide on legal issues related to their disabilities. - Minnesota State Council on Disability
121 7th Pl. E., Suite 107, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-361-7800
Advocate for policies and programs in the public and private sectors that advance the rights of Minnesotans with disabilities.
Familial Status
Familial Status: someone who has children under 18 years old living with them. Generally, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to parents with children. This class is only protected in housing.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Minnesota Housing Agency
400 Sibley St., Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-296-7608
Works to provide access to safe, decent and affordable housing and to build stronger communities across the state. - HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Local Human Rights Commission activity
Local Human Rights Commission activity: you cannot be discriminated against because you serve with a local human rights commission. This class is only protected in employment.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Marital Status
Marital Status: whether you are single, married or divorced.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse.
National Origin
National Origin: what part of the world you come from, or where your ancestors lived.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse. - Immigration Law Center of Minnesota
651-641-1011
450 N. Syndicate St., Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55104
Enhances opportunities for immigrants and refugees through legal representation for low-income individuals, and through education and advocacy with diverse communities.
Race
Race: such as Caucasian, African American, Asian or American Indian. Some people see themselves as belonging to more than one race.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse. - Legal Rights Center
1611 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-337-0030
Specializes in adult and juvenile criminal defense, and restorative justice practices and advocacy. - National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
310 E. 38th St. Suite 136, Minneapolis, MN 55409
612-822-8205
To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Religion
Religion: a set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader. Religion involves a God or Gods.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Isaiah
612-333-1260
2356 University Ave. W., Suite 405
St. Paul, MN 55114
A vehicle for congregation, clergy, and people of faith to act collectively and powerfully towards racial and economic equity in the state of Minnesota. - Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC)
612-721-8687
1001 E. Lake St., PO Box 7509
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Sex/gender identity
Whether a person is male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- Civil Society
332 Minnesota St., Ste. E-1436, St. Paul, MN 55101
651-291-0713
Providing culturally and linguistically specific services to victims of human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse. - Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition
3405 Chicago Ave., Suite 103, Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-823-1152
Committed to improving health care access and quality of health care received by trans and gender non-conforming people through education, resources, and advocacy. - Center for Sexual Health (University of Minnesota)
1300 2nd St. S., Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454
612-625-1500
Provides compassionate patient care in sexual health for individuals, couples and families of all backgrounds and ages.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation: whether someone is (or are thought to be) gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual or transgender.
A guide to employment discrimination: Minnesota Department of Human Rights
Resources:
- OutFront Minnesota
310 E. 38th St., Suite 209, Minneapolis, MN 55409
612-822-0127
OutFront Minnesota's mission is to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment or discrimination. - Gender Education Center
763-424-5445
Providing transgender education, assistance, and counseling.
Staff liaison
If you feel you have been discriminated against in Bloomington, contact the Human Rights Commission staff liaison Eric Holthaus, Community Outreach and Engagement Division Manager.