Discrimination is the unfair or prejudicial treatment of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, or sexual orientation. Discrimination means to act based on a preference or prejudice.A simplified description of the legal definition of discrimination is when a person is treated disfavourably or when a person's dignity is violated. Please complete this form to make a report of discrimination. You can make this report whether or not you wish to be involved in an official complaint. Section 40-C - Discrimination 1. Discrimination is when someone is denied equal rights due to a protected trait. Learn about the Equal Pay Act, Brown v. 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. The New York State Human Rights Law ("HRL") is New York's major anti-discrimination statute.