{"id":355648,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/civilrights\/discrimination\/gender-sex-discrimination-basics.html"},"modified":"2023-09-20T13:09:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T18:09:28","slug":"gender-sex-discrimination-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/civilrights\/discrimination\/gender-sex-discrimination-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Gender (Sex) Discrimination Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gender (Sex) Discrimination Basics<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Gender (or sex) discrimination occurs when a person is the subject of different or unequal treatment based on:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Gender<\/li>\r\n
  2. Gender identity<\/li>\r\n
  3. Sexual orientation<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Gender discrimination<\/a> and sex discrimination are roughly the same thing. The words are interchangeable for civil rights law purposes. This type of discrimination based on sex is illegal.<\/p>\r\n

    Civil rights<\/a> are fundamental rights and freedoms granted to people by the U.S. Constitution. You have legal protections for your national origin, mental health, marital status, equal work, gender equality, public accommodations, and more. These and some employment laws don’t allow discrimination based on race, gender, or other factors.<\/p>\r\n

    Where and When Can Gender Discrimination Happen?<\/h2>\r\n

    Gender discrimination can take place in various settings. It usually occurs in the following situations.<\/p>\r\n

    Employment<\/h3>\r\n

    Workplace discrimination based on gender identity, or gender discrimination in employment, can include:<\/p>\r\n