Responsibilities

The Commission has basically two responsibilities:

A legal responsibility to ensure that the provisions of the Ordinance are vigorously enforced.
A moral responsibility to promote equal opportunity through actions which reflect commitment to Civil Rights.

Our achievements are also yours. It is our hope that you will continue to join with us in a common effort to meet the challenges of the future – the fulfillment of our promise as a free society. Encumbered in this promise, is the reality of justice, freedom, respect and economic equality for all persons, without discrimination, because of their race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability or familial status.

Click here for the City of Gary Civil Rights Ordinance (6754). Contact our offices at 219-883-4151 for more information on obtaining copies of ordinances and/or any amendments.

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Mission Statement

Since May 19, 1964, the mission of the Gary Human Relations Commission has been to promote equal opportunity with regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry or handicap in employment, education, housing, public services and accommodations. The Commission is also charged with the responsibility to protect employers, real estate brokers, property owners and others from unfounded charges of discrimination. The Commission handles all ADA and Title VI grievances.
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Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction requirements for the GHRC are:

The charge must state some form of discriminatory conduct based on things such as race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, familial status, etc.
The charge must be filed within 300 days (for employment) or 365 days(for housing) from the date of the alleged violation.
In employment charges, respondent must have at least six (6) employees if the employer is in the City of Gary.

Respondents include all employers (both private or public), employment agencies, labor organizations, educational institutions, places of public accommodation, landlords, real estate agencies, lending institutions, financial institutions or insurance companies, and many more.

The Commission’s procedure to adjudicate a charge is an administrative procedure, not a criminal one.

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Department of Human Relations

It is against the law to deny employment, housing, education, or public services and accommodation because of a person’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, or familial status. Since May 19, 1964, the Gary Human Relations Commission has been the local civil rights agency in Northwest Indiana. The anti-discrimination law is enforced by the Gary Human Relations Commission under the City of Gary Civil Rights Ordinance. The agency is also responsible for handling all ADA and Title VI complaints. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!

The Gary Human Relations Commission is located at 455 Massachusetts St., Gary, IN 46402 inside the Hudson-Campbell Sports Center. Contact our offices at 219-883-4151 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

La Comisión de Relaciones Humanas de Gary protege contra la discriminación. Llame al 219-883-4151 o envíenos un correo electrónico para asistencia con el idioma.

In accordance with the requirements of Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), the City of Gary, Indiana, will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities.

Employment: City of Gary, Indiana, does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA.

Effective Communication: City of Gary, Indiana, will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in City of Gary, Indiana, programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, documents in Braille, and other ways of making information and communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments.

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Modifications to Policies and Procedures: City of Gary, Indiana, will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. For example, individuals with service animals are welcomed in City of Gary, Indiana, offices, even where pets are generally prohibited.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Gary, Indiana, should contact the office of the ADA Coordinator, Haneefah Khaaliq at 219-883-4151, as soon as possible but no later than one week before the scheduled event.

The ADA does not require the City of Gary, Indiana, to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services, or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the City of Gary, Indiana, is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the ADA Coordinator, Haneefah Khaaliq at 219-883-4151.

The City of Gary, Indiana, will not place a surcharge on a particular individual with a disability or any group of individuals with disabilities to cover the cost of providing auxiliary aids/services or reasonable modifications of policy, such as retrieving items from locations that are open to the public but are not accessible to persons who use wheelchairs.

Relay Indiana, a service of Indiana Telephone Relay Access Corporation (InTRAC), is a free service that provides full telecommunications accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired. Dial 711 or 800-743-3333.

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Gary Human Relations Commissioners

Chairperson

Nora Robbs

Secretary

Mozelle Anderson

Rita R. Jackson

Arthur Ball

Levern Swain, Sr.

Onitta Anderson-Parker

Washington Alston

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History

On Monday, March 9, 1964, the Post-Tribune reported that, then, Mayor A. Martin Katz, had appointed a “Blue Ribbon” Human Relations Committee. The Committee was officially titled, “The Advisory Committee to the Mayor on Human Relations. Asked to serve were: Bishop Andrew Grutka, Orval Kincaid, F.A. Dudderar, Dale E. Belles, Clarence W. Goris, Paul F. Guist, Mrs. Jessie Mitchell, Clifford E. Minton, Mrs. Jeannette Strong, Charles E. Daugherty, F. Laurence Anderson, Jr., Randall C. Morgan, Emery L. Konrady, Rev. John E. Hunter, Mrs. Thelma Marshall, Mrs. Leigh Plummer, Dee O. Coe, Robert C. Gasser and William Braman.

Mayor Katz stated: “I am sure they will accept the responsibility in building a better Gary for all of Gary. This will not be a study commission, but it will be a group to develop positive steps to be taken in the field of human relations immediately. I will counsel with this advisory commission and implement whatever program they want followed.”

Katz said he wanted to make it clear that the group is an advisory committee and not a human relations committee.

Asked if he would recommend to the City Council a comprehensive civil rights ordinance if the advisory committee recommended it, he said, “If that’s what the committee recommends, I will see that it gets before the Council.”

On May 19, 1964, according to the Post-Tribune, “the omnibus civil rights bill was passed by the Gary City Council Tuesday night on a 5-3 vote.

The measure was passed after a four-hour meeting in the Gary City Court Chambers during which there were numerous demonstrations by white and black factions.

The chamber and overflow crowd was estimated at more than 500. The Ordinance created a 15 member human relations commission with unrestricted subpoena power as the administrative body; provided for open occupancy and incorporates existing fair employment practice laws.

The commission’s operations was financed from the FEPC budget, which comes under the commission. The budget this year was set at $39,945, which included salaries for five positions. The Director was Joseph Welcome and one secretary in his office.

Mayor A. Martin Katz issued the following statement this morning concerning the new fair housing law:

“I will call upon the citizens of Gary to exercise good judgment and good will in the days to come. There is no need to fear progress in the field of human relations. Changes in the old established order are sometimes painful, often uncomfortable, but frequently necessary. This is a necessary change to accommodate the broad progress of the concept of equality for all people.

I have every confidence that the human relations commission to be appointed will do its work constructively and effectively and with a sensitive feeling for the delicate area of its work.”

Thus began the start of the Gary Human Relations Commission. Connect with us on Facebook! We are also on Twitter and Instagram.

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Grievances

Since May 19, 1964, the Gary Human Relations Commission “GHRC” has been the local civil rights agency in Northwest Indiana. The agency ensures human rights and dignity for all people. From filing complaints to conciliation, from investigation to public hearings, all charges of discrimination are handled with professional objectivity according to the Rules and Regulations of the Commission. Complainants are protected by law from retaliatory acts and respondents are protected against unfounded charges. Other powers and duties of the Commission include gathering and distributing information intended to improve human relations and achieve equal opportunity throughout Northwest Indiana, reducing tensions and preventing violence, conducting studies, and discouraging acts of discrimination. The GHRC is also responsible for handling all ADA (Americans with Disabilities) and Title VI grievances.

Gary Civil Rights Ordinance Amended

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What is the purpose of the GHRC? The purpose of the GHRC is to act as your local civil rights agency. We process all charges of discrimination. We are also known as the local FEPA (Fair Employment Practices Agency/EEOC) and FHAP (Fair Housing Assistance Program/HUD) agency. Additionally, the agency handles all Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and Title VI grievances, in accordance with Ordinance 9269, as amended.
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How do I contact the GHRC? Address: Gary Human Relations Commission, Hudson-Campbell Sports Center, 455 Massachusetts St, Gary, IN 46402. Phone: 219-883-4151. We are also on social media.
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How do I file an ADA or Title VI complaint? In order to file an ADA or Title VI complaint please call 219-883-4151 and obtain an appointment with the ADA/Title VI Coordinator. Filing a formal complaint will prompt a thorough investigation through the city’s internal grievance procedure, properly record attempts at voluntary compliance and ensure proper documentation of events.
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What is the ADA? The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability.
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What is Title VI? Title VI was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. If a recipient of federal assistance is found to have discriminated despite going through the City of Gary’s internal grievance procedure by and through the city’s Title VI coordinator and voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the federal agency providing the assistance will be contacted either to (1) initiate fund termination proceedings or (2) refer the matter to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal action.
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When are commission meetings? Due to COVID-19, the GHRC Board Meetings will be held via conference call on the 4th Monday of each month. Please call 219-883-4151 for more information.
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Does the GHRC offer language assistance? Yes. Please call or email us with requests. En español: ¿El GHRC ofrece asistencia con el idioma? Sí. Por favor llame al 219-883-4151 o envíenos un correo electrónico a hkhaaliq@ci.gary.in.us. Additionally, Relay Indiana, a service of Indiana Telephone Relay Access Corporation (InTRAC), is a free service that provides full telecommunications accessibility to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired. Dial 711 or 800-743-3333.
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How long has the commission been in operation? Since May 19, 1964.
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Have you been a victim of discrimination? Discrimination means the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of things like race, age, or sex. If you answered yes to this question, then you believe someone else outside of your protected class has been treated better than you. This classifies as discrimination.
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Is sexual harassment a form of discrimination? Yes, Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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What is the difference between explicit and implicit discrimination? Explicit discrimination is visible and open. Implicit discrimination is hidden and covert, but still impacts a protected class or group of people.

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Can my employer ask me about my medical history, citizenship, etc., before offering me a job? No. Employers may not inquire on things such as your criminal history, accommodation needs, citizenship, and other personal information prior to offering you a job. The point is to prevent prejudgments and discrimination in the application process.
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Can my landlord evict me at anytime for any reason? No. Your landlord must follow the proper procedures for eviction that govern the State of Indiana in order to avoid discrimination claims. Please call for more information.
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Does the Commission take walk-ins? Generally, no. You must make an appointment prior to seeing an investigator to ensure that you have the correct documentation at intake and to ensure the investigator is prepared to handle your situation.
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Do I need an attorney? No. You do not need an attorney to file a complaint with the local civil rights agency. The filing is entirely free and confidential.
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What should I do when or if I receive a complaint? Read it carefully, follow instructions and respond appropriately. While all complaints may be formalized with our agency, not all complaints will be investigated or determined by our agency. Please check the complaint documents you have received for contact information of the agency you will report to. You may contact them with any questions or concerns you have.
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What happens if I choose not to respond to the complaint? If you choose not to respond to the complaint or you choose to respond to the complaint inappropriately, a default determination will be entered against you and/or your company by this agency. The determination will then be forwarded to the respective federal agency for further investigation. Additionally, you may incur court costs and attorney’s fees.
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Are the Commission’s determinations final? The Commission has work-sharing agreements with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Our cases are dual-filed with the respective federal agency and follow the general procedures for adjudication.
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Under what authority does the Commission act? Under the City of Gary Ordinance 6754, amended by 8967 and 9269, and under a work-sharing agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and under rules and regulations governing administrative or quasi-judicial agencies.
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What are the steps of a case? Intake, Fact-Finding Conference, Determination, and Conciliation. Unsuccessful conciliation conferences in probable cause determinations will proceed to public hearing where the Presiding Officer will make a final determination that will be transferred to the respective federal agency. The Presiding Officer acts as an administrative law judge on an as needed contractual basis to hold administrative hearings.
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Does the GHRC have events? Yes. Check out our Facebook page. Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram.
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Does the GHRC have a museum? Yes. The GHRC has a mini-civil rights museum full of Gary historical artifacts generally open for public viewing, but it is temporarily closed at this time. Created by our investigators, the museum is not only a historical piece of Gary, IN, but it is inspiring, great for tours, and free! Please call for more information.

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Human Relations