Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! Pride began as a movement for dignity, visibility, and equal rights. We honor that legacy and reaffirm our commitment to creating a Connecticut where all people are treated with respect and have the opportunity to thrive.

Stay tuned all month long as we continue to celebrate the contributions, resilience, and history of LGBTQ+ communities nationwide.

05/29/2026

Join us around the state for a series of information sessions about Connecticut's contract compliance program. Learn about:

· The New Rules: What changes on July 1st.
· Compliance Tools: Navigating the new forms.
· Q&A: Get direct answers from CHRO staff.
· DAS Certification: Learn how to register your business as a small or minority-owned business.

To register, visit portal.ct.gov/CHRO

05/29/2026

Equality, Equity & Justice: What’s the difference? Equality means everyone having the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that people face different barriers and need different levels of support to access the same resources and opportunities. Justice goes a step further by addressing the systems and policies that create those barriers in the first place. Understanding these differences helps build communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

The CHRO joins the nation in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Rep. Barney Frank.

A trailblazing voice for civil and human rights, Frank served Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives for 32 years. In 1987, he became the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay - an act of courage at a time when doing so carried enormous political risk. He went on to become one of the most consequential advocates for LGBTQ+ equality in the history of American politics.

Throughout his career, Frank championed anti-discrimination protections in employment and housing, fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and helped pass the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He believed that progress on civil rights required persistence, pragmatism, and a willingness to fight for people on the margins of power.

His legacy reminds us that equal protection under the law is a right worth defending in every generation.

05/27/2026

May is Haitian American Heritage Month, celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of Haitian Americans in communities across the country. As the first nation to successfully overthrow slavery, Haitian heritage includes a strong sense of freedom and patriotism.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day weekend to those celebrating. Memorial Day honors the service members who lost their lives in defense of our country. As we remember their sacrifice, we also reflect on the ongoing responsibility to uphold the freedoms they fought to protect.