Gender Identity or Expression

-- As of Dec. 15, 2005, "Gender Identity or Expression" was added as a protected category in the Human Rights Commission ordinance. Northampton Code Section 1-3 was amended by adding the following definition:

"Gender Identity or Expression" shall mean and include a person's actual or perceived gender, as well as a person's gender identity, gender-related self-image, gender-related appearance, or gender-related expression whether or not that gender identity, gender-related self image, gender-related appearance, or gender-related expression is different from that traditionally associated with a person's sex at birth.

-- the Northampton City Council unanimously passed on August 18, 2011 a Resolution sponsored by the Human Rights Commission in support of the Massachusetts House Bill adding gender identity and expression to the Commonwealth’s list of hate crimes and to non-discrimination laws in employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and credit.