DFEH is understaffed by about 10000x because private attorneys do almost all of the enforcement. Get your right to sue letter, google “employment lawyer” and see if you have a case. They will do infinitely more than any government agency will.
I talked to a handful of these and they said I had a case and they hoped I could find someone else to take it. I really don't have the capacity to talk with a dozen lawyers to start a process that will take months and give me negative value. Also, my rights have expired.
I do not think rights in discrimination suits ever expire, for reasons you have cited exactly — the discriminated are usually in a disadvantaged position, don’t have the resources, time or the willingness. If an attorney told you your rights expire, was it your attorney? As in — were you paying them or was someone else doing the paying? Until you hear an attorney you pay say this, you probably have non-expiring rights.
