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Office of Human Rights
 

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Protected Traits

The DC Office of Human Rights enforces the DC Human Rights Act, which makes discrimination illegal based on 23 protected traits for people that live, visit or work in the District of Columbia. The DC Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and educational institutions.
 

23 Protected Traits Under the DC Human Rights Act    

  1. Age: 18 years of age or older 
  2. Color: skin pigmentation, including variations in skin pigmentation 
  3. Credit Information: any written, oral, or other communication of information bearing on an employee's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity, credit score, or credit history. 
  4. Disability: a physical or mental impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities; physical can include auditory, speech, visual, and/or neurological impairments and mental can include cognitive and learning impairments  
  5. Family Responsibilities: supporting an individual in a legal dependent or blood relationship, which includes, but is not limited to children, grandchildren, and parents 
  6. Familial Status: a pregnant individual or a parent, guardian, or caregiver who has legal status with respect to children under the age of 18 
  7. Gender Identity & Expression: a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth 
  8. Genetic Information: an individual’s DNA or genetic predisposition, a family member’s genetic predisposition; information resulting from requests for genetic testing, or history which may indicate the likelihood or increase risk of an individual’s predisposition to develop a disease, illness, syndrome, or condition 
  9. Homeless Status: an individual, family, or youth who lacks, lost, or will imminently lose a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, which can include the result of escaping an unsafe environment 
  10. Marital Status: married, in a domestic partnership, single, divorced, separated or widowed, and the usual conditions associated therewith, including pregnancy or parenthood 
  11. Matriculation: being enrolled in a college, university, or some type of secondary school or program, including vocational programs 
  12. National Origin: the state, country, or nation state where an individual or their ancestors are from 
  13. Personal Appearance: outward appearance, irrespective of sex and gender identity or expression, including hair style and color, facial hair, tattoos, body size or shape, and body piercings, subject to business requirements and standards 
  14. Place of Residence or Business: the geographical location of home or work 
  15. Political Affiliation: the state of belonging to or endorsing any political party 
  16. Race: classification or association based on an individual’s ancestry, ethnicity and/or physical traits 
  17. Religion: a personal set or institutionalized system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices relating to a supernatural force or being, or its equivalent in secular faiths, including the presence or absence of commitment or devotion to any faith 
  18. Sealed Eviction Record: an eviction record that has been sealed by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for specific reasons or upon motion by the tenant demonstrating that sealing is warranted 
  19. Sex: the state of being biologically male, female, or intersex including medical conditions and reproductive health decisions associated therewith 
  20. Sexual Orientation: an individual’s romantic and/or sexual attraction for another person(s); includes relationship types such as aromantic, ethical non-monogamy, open relationships, polyamory, etc. 
  21. Source of Income: the origination of an individual’s personal and professional finances, including from housing choice vouchers (Section 8), emergency assistance payments, SSI Income, alimony, and disability benefit programs 
  22. Status as a Victim or Family Member of a Victim of Domestic Violence, a Sexual Offense, or Stalking (DVSOS): when an individual is a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking 
  23. Status as a Victim of an Intrafamily Offense: an individual, their family, or a household member who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or cruelty to the victim’s animal 

 

Protected Traits by Enforcement Area 

Educational Institutions Employment  
  1. Age 
  2. Color  
  3. Disability 
  4. Family Responsibilities 
  5. Familial Status 
  6. Gender Identity & Expression 
  7. Homeless Status 
  8. Marital Status 
  9. National Origin 
  10. Personal Appearance 
  11. Political Affiliation 
  12. Race 
  13. Religion 
  14. Sex 
  15. Sexual Orientation 
  16. Source of Income
  1. Age 
  2. Color 
  3. Credit Information 
  4. Disability 
  5. Family responsibilities 
  6. Gender identity & Expression
  7. Genetic information 
  8. Homeless Status 
  9. Marital Status 
  10. Matriculation 
  11. National origin 
  12. Personal appearance 
  13. Political affiliation 
  14. Race 
  15. Religion 
  16. Sex 
  17. Sexual Orientation 
  18. Status as a Victim or Family Member of a Victim of Domestic Violence, a Sexual Offense, or Stalking 

 

Housing  Public Accommodations or Government Services
  1. Age 
  2. Color  
  3. Disability 
  4. Family Responsibilities 
  5. Familial Status 
  6. Gender Identity & Expression
  7. Homeless Status 
  8. Marital Status 
  9. Matriculation 
  10. National Origin 
  11. Personal Appearance 
  12. Place of Residence or Business 
  13. Political Affiliation 
  14. Race  
  15. Religion 
  16. Sealed Eviction Record 
  17. Sex 
  18. Sexual Orientation 
  19. Source of Income 
  20. Status as a Victim of an Intrafamily Offense 
  1. Age 
  2. Color 
  3. Disability 
  4. Family Responsibilities 
  5. Familial Status 
  6. Gender Identity & Expression 
  7. Genetic Information 
  8. Homeless Status 
  9. Marital Status 
  10. Matriculation 
  11. National Origin 
  12. Personal Appearance 
  13. Place of Residence or Business 
  14. Political Affiliation 
  15. Race 
  16. Religion 
  17. Sex 
  18. Sexual Orientation 
  19. Source of Income