What is Bias Motivated Behavior?
Bias Motivated Behavior includes any verbal, nonverbal or written behavior toward an individual or group based upon actual or perceived identity characteristics including, but not limited to:
- race and/or color
- religion, faith and/or spirituality
- national origin
- sexual orientation
- socio economic status / social class
- marital status
- gender identity and/or expression
- group affiliation
- political affiliation
- cognitive, physical and/or developmental ability
- immigration status
- military and/or veteran status
- size and/or shape
Bias Motivated Behavior may cause psychological, emotional, spiritual, and/or physical harm not only to those who experience the incident, but also to members of the group and/or community to which they belong.
Bias Motivated Behavior can be intentional or unintentional, and may or may not require legal action.
In working to promote inclusive behavior and restore harm created through Bias Motivated Behavior, the focus is on the individual and/or group impacted, not the intention or motivation of the person(s) who engaged in the behavior.