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Age Applies to any person 18 and over.

Arrest Record Information indicating a person has been questioned, apprehended, taken into custody or detention, held for investigation, arrested, charged with, indicted or tried for any felony, misdemeanor or other offense. The Arrest Record protected class is only available in the areas of employment, public accommodations, and city services (not housing).

Building Code Complainant Any person who complains of potential building code violations (i.e., Chapters 7, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30 or 32 of the Madison General Ordinances) to their housing provider (property manager/landlord), Building Inspection Division, Public Health, and/or other state or local investigatory/enforcement agency. Also protects tenants who comply with these laws (i.e., participate in rent abatement). The Building Code Complainant protected class is only available in the area of housing.

Citizenship Status The immigration and/or citizenship status of any person.

Color Refers to a person's skin color or pigmentation.

Conviction Record Information indicating a person has been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or other offense, placed on probation, fined, imprisoned and/or paroled. The Conviction Record protected class is only available in the areas of employment, public accommodations, and city services (not housing).

Credit History Refers to information regarding a person's credit worthiness, standing, capacity, character, general reputation, or personal characteristics. The Credit History protected class is only available in the area of employment.

Disability Having a physical or mental condition which substantially limits one or more major life activity (also protects people who have a record of such a condition, even if they currently do not have a disability). This category also includes people who do not have a disability, but are regarded as having a disability.

Domestic Partners Means two (2) adults and their dependents (if any) which satisfy the following requirements: 1. they are in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment and intend to remain in such a relationship in the immediate future, 2. they are not married (unless they are married to each other) or legally separated and, if either party has been a party to an action or proceeding for divorce or annulment, at least six (6) months have elapsed since the date of the judgment terminating the marriage, 3. neither domestic partner is currently registered in a domestic partnership with a different domestic partner and, if either partner has previously been registered as a domestic partner in a domestic partnership, at least six (6) months have elapsed since the effective date of termination of that registration, 4. both are 18 years of age or older, 5. both are competent to contract, 6. they are occupying the same dwelling unit as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit, whose relationship is of permanent and distinct domestic character, and 7. they are not in a relationship that is merely temporary, social, political, commercial or economic in nature.

Familial Status Means living with (or having custody of) a child or children (under the age of 18). This includes: 1. Being a parent or legal guardian with custody/physical placement of the child or children. 2. Being the designee of a parent or legal guardian 3. Being a foster parent (or other person with whom the child or children are placed by court order) 4. Being pregnant 5. Being in the process of pursuing custody/placement of a child or children

Gender Identity The personal sense of one's own gender, which can correlate or differ from a person's biological sex. Gender expression, or the way a person reflects their gender identity (i.e., masculine, feminine, androgynous, etc.) is also protected in the category of Gender Identity.

Genetic Identity Information revealing an individual's DNA code. This includes information gathered through genetic tests, familial genetics, and any family history of a genetic disease/disorder. The Genetic Identity category is only available for protection in the areas of housing and employment.

Homelessness The status of lacking fixed, regular and/or adequate housing, which includes residing in a shelter or hotel that provides temporary living accommodations. This definition also protects individuals who are residing in transitional housing.

Less than Honorable Discharge from Military Means any general, undesirable, clemency, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge from the military service.

Marital Status Includes being married, separated, divorced, widowed, or single.

National Origin/Ancestry National origin refers to a person's country of birth. Ancestry refers to the country, nation, tribe or other group of people from which a person descends. It can also refer to an individual's physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics.

Non-Religion Means an individual who does not identify with a religion.

Physical Appearance What a person looks like including scars, weight, height, tattoos, piercings, hair color or style, etc.

Political Beliefs Opinions concerning the social, economic and governmental structure of society and its institutions.

Race / Ethnicity Refers to a group of people united or classified based upon a common history, nationality or geography. It includes all races, not just members of marginalized racial groups. Bi-racial designations are also recognized.

Receipt of Rental Assistance Protects individuals who receive rental assistance that is not considered household income (Section 8, CORE, etc.).

Religion A firmly held set of beliefs. Includes all aspects of religious observance and practice.

Retaliation Protects individuals who participated in one (1) or more of the following activities: 1. opposed a discriminatory practice, 2. made a complaint of discrimination, 3. testified in a discrimination case, and 4. assisted someone in making their complaint of discrimination (or otherwise helped someone with their case of unlawful discrimination).

Sex Biological sex, typically assigned at birth based upon an individual's anatomy (such as male, female, or intersex). Includes pregnancy.

Sexual Orientation An emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction or non-attraction to other people. Sexual orientation can be fluid and people use a variety of labels to describe their sexual orientation.

Social Security Number Disclosure Refers to the disclosure of one's social security number.

Source of Income Legally-derived income. Includes, but is not limited to, public assistance, pension, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), etc.

Student Means a person who is enrolled in a public or private high school, college, university, technical college, accredited trade school, or apprenticeship program.

Unemployment The status of not having a job or employment. The Unemployment protected class is only available in the area of employment.

Victim of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault, and/or Stalking Applies to an individual seeking to purchase or lease housing who has experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking and is identified as a victim under state statues. The Victim of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault, or Stalking protected class is only available in the area of housing.

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