The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is an 11-member group of volunteers, appointed by the Mayor and Council, to ensure equal treatment, free from discrimination for people who live, visit or work in the City of Rockville. The HRC is charged with minimizing the effects of conflict and promoting appreciation of diversity within the city. To meet these goals, the commission provides a variety of programs and services.
The HRC reviews and/or hears investigated complaints of discrimination, and offers findings. To promote and facilitate resolutions to conflicts, the HRC provides free mediation services to people in the city who may find themselves in conflict with a neighbor, landlord, tenant or business. Mediation helps parties clarify and resolve their disputes amicably for their mutual benefit.
In addition to protecting rights, reducing conflict and promoting human relations, the HRC sponsors educational and cultural programs that promote global thinking, encourage civic awareness and/or reflect the rich diversity found in the city.
The HRC also hosts voter registration days during election years.
To promote diversity and to improve human relations, it is important for the commission to know and understand the issues that face the many communities that comprise our city. To that end, the commission is seeking ways to inform our residents about the HRC and to learn more about their concerns. The HRC also would like to invite residents from all of our communities to apply for a commissioner position as vacancies occur.
Rockville will celebrate its LGBTQ community at the third annual Rockville Pride festival from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 15. The free celebration, presented by the City of Rockville’s Human Rights Commission, will take place in Rockville Town Square. It will feature live intergenerational performances, educational booths, dialogue, crafts, face painting, air-brush tattoos and a moon bounce.
For ADA modifications, please contact the city’s Americans with disabilities coordinator at 240-314-8108, jkelly@rockvillemd.gov, TTY 240-314-8137 or Relay 711 by June 1.