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


Resource
A diverse group of young people march and hold protest signs reading “Education shapes our future,” “Stand for change,” “Every voice matters,” and “Empower the youth.” One person speaks through a megaphone. The image includes an artistic collage featuring the Statue of Liberty, the Washington, D.C. flag, and bold green geometric shapes against a dark blue background.

Know Your Rights At School In D.C.

You don’t lose your rights just because you enter a school!
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

Cases, Campaigns & Legislation


Court Case
Sep 28, 2026

NATHAN v. TRUMP – Birthright Citizenship Part II

Soon after the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s Executive Order seeking to do away with birthright citizenship was unconstitutional, he tried again, with a new Executive Order, issued on August 6, 2026, that directs executive agencies not to recognize the citizenship of an individual “when neither parent of that person is a citizen” and: a) “either parent of that person is an alien enemy, defined to include” a member of certain designated terrorist organizations; b) “either parent of that person is a foreign government employee,” including not only foreign ministers with full diplomatic immunity but also various other employees of foreign governments or international organizations; c) “either parent of that person engaged in a commercial transaction to purchase or access birthright citizenship for the person, or engaged in fraudulent activity to obtain citizenship”; or d) “the person is born in a territory or territorial waters of the United States where citizenship is not conferred by Federal statute.” On September 28, 2026, we and the National ACLU filed a new lawsuit challenging the new Executive Order. We allege that it is unconstitutional for the same reasons the first one was, and that it also violates the federal immigration statute, as Justice Kavanaugh opined was true of the first order. The plaintiffs are: “Clara,” a citizen of France; she and her husband work for international organizations in Washington, DC, and their son “Nathan,” who was born after the issuance of the new Executive Order. “Patricia” and her husband, European citizens who also work for international organizations in the United States, and who are expecting a child in spring 2027. “Edward,” a citizen of Australia; he and his Australian wife are expecting a child through surrogacy to be born in the United States in October 2026. We will soon file a motion for a preliminary injunction asking the court to prevent executive agencies from refusing to recognize the citizenship of our clients’ children and others similarly situated.
Court Case
Nov 21, 2025

Withrow v. United States: Challenging Ban on Transgender and Intersex Federal Employees’ Ability To Use Bathroom That Accords with Their Gender Identity

Court Case
Jan 12, 2026

Fell v. Trump (formerly 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?