Anti-discrimination protections are laws that prohibit unfair treatment based on characteristics such as race, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. They apply to employment, housing, schools, and public services. Congress, federal agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, states, and courts enforce them.
People usually bring questions about what counts as illegal discrimination or harassment and who is protected. They ask how landmark civil rights laws work, how courts decide whether a group is covered, and what a person can do after being treated unfairly.
An independent team explaining how government works
In 1996, in United States v. Virginia, the Supreme Court rejected Virginia’s attempt to keep the Virginia Military Institute all male. Virginia had drawn a line…
A group of federal workers filed a lawsuit representing a group of workers with the same complaint on January 1, 2026, the day the Trump administration's…
Every day, millions of Americans deal with difficult coworkers, demanding bosses, and uncomfortable workplace situations. When does bad behavior cross the line into illegal harassment? Federal…
Being treated differently at work because of who you are is often illegal. Workplace discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee or job applicant unfairly…
The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 makes it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, pay, promotions, or any other…
In the American workplace, the power dynamic seems heavily skewed toward employers, and for good reason—most employees work "at-will," meaning they can be terminated…
When President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990, he called it the "world's first comprehensive…
The Fair Housing Act, officially known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, stands as a pillar of American civil rights…
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most transformative laws in American history. Signed on July 2, 1964, this landmark legislation…
Few threads in American democracy are as foundational—or as frequently tested—as religious freedom. The nation was founded partly by those fleeing religious persecution, and…
The legal landscape for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is found within federal and state statutes, executive orders, and court decisions that have evolved over…
When Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13950 on September 22, 2020, he launched what would become one of the most contentious policy battles of…
In high school gyms and college stadiums across America, a cultural battle is playing out over a simple question: Who gets to compete in…
Discrimination takes two primary forms in the United States: de jure and de facto. The first refers to discrimination written into law. The second…
