Equal Protection and Discrimination

A cornerstone of our society, equal protection of the law is guaranteed by the Fifth and 14th Amendments and reinforced by hundreds of local, state and federal civil rights laws. The ACLU fights to ensure that no one is subjected to unconstitutional discrimination.

Equal Protection and Discrimination

A cornerstone of our society, equal protection of the law is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments and reinforced by hundreds of local, state and federal civil rights laws. The ACLU fights to ensure that no one is subjected to unconstitutional discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, disability, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or citizenship status.

The Latest

News & Commentary
A pesron holding up a sign reading "A World Without Trans People Has Never Existed And Never Will" at a demonstration.

Trump's Executive Orders Promoting Sex Discrimination, Explained

A new executive order lays out a plan to erase transgender people’s existence under the law
Resource
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Ward 7 Candidates Questionnaire

Press Release
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Bread for the City Responds as D.C. Police Union Moves to Intervene in Lawsuit Challenging Unequal Response to Mental Health Emergencies

Issue Areas: Criminal Justice Reform, Equal Protection and Discrimination
Press Release
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D.C. Department of Corrections Stops Denying Kosher Meals to Jewish Residents of the D.C. Jail

The D.C. Department of Corrections has revised its religious diet policy in response to a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of the District of Columbia on behalf of Riley Benjamin, a Jewish resident.
Issue Areas: Religious Liberty, Criminal Justice Reform, Equal Protection and Discrimination
Court Case
Mar 26, 2025

STAINNAK V. TRUMP – CHALLENGING PURGE OF DEI-ASSOCIATED FEDERAL WORKERS AS DISCRIMINATORY AND RETALIATORY FOR PERCEIVED POLITICAL BELIEFS

Federal employees filed a complaint against the Trump administration for targeting workers, especially people of color, women, and non-binary workers, for participating in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities, violating their First Amendment rights.
Court Case
Mar 22, 2023

SONMEZ V. WASHINGTON POST – IS AN EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION CLAIM AGAINST A NEWSPAPER A SLAPP?

Court Case
Jan 10, 2023

Neloms v. District of Columbia – Challenging D.C. DMV’s Telework Discrimination Against Parents and Caregivers

In December 2022, we filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights alleging discrimination based on family responsibilities and seeking compensation for our clients and changes to the DMV telework policy so it does not disadvantage parents and caregivers.
Court Case
Nov 17, 2021

Jones v. District of Columbia

Deon Jones, a gay man, has been employed by the D.C. Dept. of Corrections for more than two decades, where he has endured pervasive acts of harassment based on his sexual orientation. The lawsuit describes how Sgt. Jones faced constant harassment from co-workers and incarcerated persons alike.