Human Rights Commission

Membership

The City Council appoints the Commissioners.  Each Commissioner must be a resident of the City and attend at least one Human Rights Commission meeting before being appointed.  Seats are non-ward specific.  All terms are two years, although the Council can select a candidate to fill a partial term.  At the end of their term, all appointed and reappointed members must undergo an interview for consideration.

About the Commission

Morgantown City Council first established a Human Rights Commission in 2001.  The Commission’s work was reactivated and redirected in 2012, inspired by the National League of Cities’ designation of Morgantown as an “Inclusive City” in 2006 and implemented through the subsequent efforts of an Inclusive City Committee.

Patrolman Alexander Boyles serves as the Morgantown Police Department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison. Officer Boyles is available by email or phone at aboyles@morgantownwv.gov or 304-225-4174.

Nikki Lauffer serves as the City of Morgantown’s LGBTQ+ Liaison and is available by email or phone at nlauffer@morgantownwv.gov or 304-284-7439.

Purpose

The Human Rights Commission addresses issues of social justice and discrimination. It focuses on stewardship, service, advocacy, and education to enhance the overall quality of life. The Commission works with the City government to provide humane services and maintain socially inclusive policies. The HRC strives to foster a just and functional community environment.

Filing a Complaint

Below are the forms and instructions for filing a discrimination complaint with the City of Morgantown Human Rights Commission. Please click on the appropriate form.  Print the document, complete it, and sign it. You may email the completed form to the Human Rights Commission at hrc@morgantownwv.gov, or mail/deliver it to the Office of the City Manager, 430 Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505, ATTN: Morgantown Human Rights Commission.  Be sure to keep a copy of any documents you submit for your records. 

• Morgantown Human Rights Commission Complaint Form (PDF)
• Complaint Process Flowchart Pt. 1 (PDF)
• Complaint Process Flowchart Pt. 2 (PDF)
• Audio Guide for Complaint Process

Municipal Equality Index

Every year, the Human Rights Campaign, a national human rights organization, compares states, counties, and municipalities to assess their commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.

The Campaign’s primary objective is to evaluate municipal practices in non-discrimination laws, employment, city-provided services, law enforcement, and leadership in promoting equality for LGBTQ+ residents and employees. After conducting an annual compliance verification for each member city, the Campaign assigns scores. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI) compiles the evaluation results.

The Morgantown Human Rights Commission works closely with the City Council and Administration to improve LGBTQ+ services and policies. The HRC is responsible for Morgantown’s MEI reporting.  It gathers the City’s compliance data, submits it to the Campaign, and provides it with additional information throughout the evaluation process.

Morgantown has participated in the Municipal Equality Index program since its inception and consistently earns top-tier scores for LGBTQ+ equality.

To view the City of Morgantown's 2024 MEI Score Card, click here Version OptionsHuman Rights CommissionHeadline.

To view the City of Morgantown's 2023 MEI report, click here.

To view the City of Morgantown's 2023 MEI Score Card, click here Version OptionsHuman Rights CommissionHeadline.

Marriage Equality & Nondiscrimination

The Morgantown Human Rights Commission demonstrated extraordinary leadership by advocating for the fair and equal treatment of LGBT West Virginians earlier in 2015, when the Commission's members unanimously passed resolutions in support of Marriage Equality and Nondiscrimination.  The Morgantown City Council enthusiastically enacted both resolutions.

A comprehensive nondiscrimination protection city code provision was adopted on the city’s 232nd birthday, October 17, 2017.  “Morgan’s Town” was founded on October 17, 1785.

Additional Endorsements

The City Council also endorsed both a "Welcome Statement (PDF)" and a "Resolution Supporting the Rights of Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylees (PDF)" in May of 2017.