Protected Class
Anti-discrimination laws only regard unequal or unfair treatment as unlawful discrimination when the victim is a member of a defined group known as a protected class. The first civil rights laws protected only race and color. As the principle of discrimination evolved over the years more laws were passed and more groups were added. Federal protected classes now include race, color, national origin, religion, sex (or gender), age (over 40), and disability. State law (HEPA) further protects ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, as well as arrest and court record (in most cases).
See also: Accessibility; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; Anti-discrimination law; Civil Rights Act; Disability law; Discrimination; Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; Equal opportunity; Individual with disability; Major life activity; Reasonable accommodation; Rehabilitation Act; Undue hardship