A. What does “political affiliation” mean and in what context is this protected trait covered?
Meaning: POLITICAL AFFILIATION means the state of belonging to or endorsing a political party.
See D.C. Code § 2-1401.02(25). Political party, in turn, means a national political party,
a State political party, or an affiliated organization that is regulated by the District.
A political party is not a special interest group that may have a political message.
Examples of a political party include:
• The Republican Party
• The Democratic Party
• The Green Party
• The Libertarian Party
• The Constitution Party
Coverage: POLITICAL AFFILIATION is a protected trait in the DC Human Rights Act and is applicable
to all four areas of OHR’s enforcement: (1) employment, (2) public accommodations, (3)
housing, and (4) educational institutions.
B. How is this protected trait applied?
The Human Rights Act provides that a person may not be discriminated against based on the individual’s actual or perceived “political affiliation,” which means employers, for example, may not terminate or refuse to promote someone
because of the individual’s affiliation, membership or endorsement of the Green Party.
DC is one of the few jurisdictions in this nation where it is illegal to discriminate against anyone based upon their political affiliation.
Any derogatory action taken by employees, management or owners of any restaurant against anyone based upon their politics is actionable.
https://ohr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ohr/publication/attachments/OHR%20Enforcement%20guidance%20-%20PersonalApp_92517.pdf
II. Political Affiliation
A. What does “political affiliation” mean and in what context is this protected trait covered? Meaning: POLITICAL AFFILIATION means the state of belonging to or endorsing a political party.
See D.C. Code § 2-1401.02(25). Political party, in turn, means a national political party, a State political party, or an affiliated organization that is regulated by the District.
A political party is not a special interest group that may have a political message.
Examples of a political party include:
• The Republican Party • The Democratic Party • The Green Party • The Libertarian Party • The Constitution Party
Coverage: POLITICAL AFFILIATION is a protected trait in the DC Human Rights Act and is applicable to all four areas of OHR’s enforcement: (1) employment, (2) public accommodations, (3) housing, and (4) educational institutions.
B. How is this protected trait applied?
The Human Rights Act provides that a person may not be discriminated against based on the individual’s actual or perceived “political affiliation,” which means employers, for example, may not terminate or refuse to promote someone because of the individual’s affiliation, membership or endorsement of the Green Party.