In October of 2005, Barnstable County created the Human Rights Commission to address discrimination, equal rights, and equal access in Barnstable County.

The Barnstable County Human Rights Commission promotes equal opportunity in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, Town and County services, insurance, banking, credit and health care for all persons in Barnstable County regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, sexual or affectional preference, marital, family or military status, source of income, neighborhood or disability.

The goals of the Commission are:

• To promote and protect the basic human rights of all persons in Barnstable County;
• To enlist the cooperation and support of racial, religious, ethnic, civic, fraternal, benevolent, and private and public agencies in eliminating unlawful discrimination, and cultivating and atmosphere of mutual understanding of the County’s cultural and social diversity;
• To promote community awareness and understanding of the County’s diverse cultures through education and community action; and
• To provide the public with a forum to identify and address human rights violations within Barnstable County and, where possible, to assist in the resolution of  complaints of human rights violations.