New York City and New York State government officials and administrative agencies have been extremely busy during the first quarter of 2019 with various anti-discrimination and equality initiatives.

• As described below, the New York City Commission on Human Rights (“NYCCHR” or the “Commission”) launched a Gender-Based Harassment Unit (“Harassment Unit”) in January 2019.

• In February 2019, the Commission released legal enforcement guidance (“Guidance”) addressing race discrimination on the basis of hair and hairstyles in an ongoing effort to combat anti-Black racism in New York City.

• On March 15, 2019, the Commission launched a “While Black” campaign to target anti-Black racism in New York City by addressing some common forms of discrimination that Black people face while doing everyday activities. This campaign also serves to educate entities on their responsibilities under the law.

• Governor Cuomo released a comprehensive Women’s Salary Negotiation Guide (“Guide”) on April 2, 2019 and again called for the passage of a salary history ban to close the gender wage gap in New York State in honor of Equal Pay Day. The Governor proclaimed that New York State “will never stop fighting until we reach full gender equality and economic justice for all.”

These initiatives—all of which were launched during the first four months of 2019—showcase why New York has long been a leader in enacting some of the most robust human rights laws in the country.