Fighting discrimination in employment. Every New Yorker has the right to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. The Division of Human Rights complaint form is available at the below link. You may use this form to file and submit your complaint online. In 1964, the U.S. Congress passed Title VII Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination in employment and in other areas of society. This overview provides historical context as to why Title VII must be amended to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the definition of "sex." The alleged act of discrimination must have taken place within, or have sufficient connection to, New York City for a complaint to be filed with the Commission. You do not need to file with the NYC Commission on Human Rights before filing a lawsuit. Both laws are used to combat discrimination.