If you experience discrimination in Delaware, it can take two years or even longer before the state of Delaware begins to investigate your claim.   We know that Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.   People who experience discrimination don't have years to wait in line.  Please sign the attached petition.   The petition will be available through July 18th and you will also be able to sign it in person at the Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival.   It will be shared with the appropriate elected and appointed officials the following week.

 

THE PETITION

We, the undersigned individuals, are troubled by the failure of the State of Delaware to enforce our non-discrimination laws in a timely manner.  We understand that this problem has been going on for quite some time. With significant uncertainty regarding many federal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, our state laws are more important than ever.    Therefore:

1. We request that the Delaware Human & Civil Rights Commission hold a public meeting with Romona S. Fullman, Director of the Division of Human and Civil Rights; and Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, the Delaware Secretary of State, so that both our commissioners and the public can hear directly from them to better understand the nature of these delays.

2. We request that the Delaware Department of State assure that the Delaware Division of Human and Civil Rights has adequate funding and resources to process human rights complaints in a timely manner.

3. We request that the Office of Civil and Human Rights commit to resolving a majority of human rights complaints in one year or less.  We further request that they share the total number of pending cases and the average wait time to resolution publicly on their website on a monthly basis OR share this information with the Commission on a monthly basis.