{"id":372231,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/dc-civil-rights-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-11-04T19:29:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T00:29:45","slug":"dc-civil-rights-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/dc-civil-rights-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Civil Rights Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n District of Columbia Civil Rights Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, 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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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\n\n

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District of Columbia<\/span> civil rights laws<\/span>, led by the D.C. Human Rights Act<\/span>, prohibit discrimination based on a wide range of protected personal traits. These local laws provide more extensive protections than federal laws<\/span>, making it illegal to treat people unfairly in employment, housing, and public accommodations<\/span>. Washington<\/span>, D.C.’s list of protected characteristics<\/span> is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, covering traits like source of income<\/span>, personal appearance<\/span>, and gender identity<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Federal law<\/span>, and some state laws, grant all U.S. citizens the right to be free from discrimination, regardless of race, religion, or any other arbitrary classification. We call these protections civil rights<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers implemented civil rights laws<\/span> primarily to protect minorities, people with disabilities<\/a>, women, and other marginalized groups from unfair treatment. These laws often pertain to employment, public access, and housing.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll discuss the civil rights laws<\/span> in Washington<\/span>, D.C., and what they protect, in comparison to federal civil rights laws<\/span>. If you believe someone has violated your civil rights, consider consulting with a local discrimination attorney<\/a>. They can help you understand the type of claim you may have and your options.<\/p>\n

Federal Civil Rights Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many civil rights protections, including those granted by state governments, stem from the Civil Rights Act of 1964<\/span><\/a>. Congress passed this law to prohibit discrimination in public places and public accommodations<\/span>. It was signed by President Lyndon Johnson.<\/p>\n

The Civil Rights Act also accomplished the following:<\/p>\n