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 educational institutions, employment, housing, public accommodation and government services

 

Find our flyer on the 23 protected traits and their definitions here. 

23 Características protegidas bajo la Ley de Derechos Humanos del DC (Spanish) ♦ 23 በዲሲ ሰብዓዊ መብቶች አዋጅ ስር ጥበቃ የሚደረግላቸው ባህሪያት (Amharic) ♦ 《哥伦比亚特区人权法案》所规定的 23 个受保护特征 (Chinese) ♦ 23 caractéristiques protégées en vertu de la Loi sur les droits de la personne (Human Rights Act) de DC (French) ♦ DC 인권법(DC Human Rights Act)에 따른 23가지 보호 특성 (Korean) ♦ 23 Đặc Điểm Được Bảo Vệ Theo Đạo Luật Nhân Quyền DC (Vietnamese)

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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
Age  Color   Disability  Family Responsibilities  Familial Status  Gender Identity & Expression  Homeless Status  Marital Status  National Origin  Personal Appearance  Political Affiliation  Race  Religion  Sex  Sexual Orientation  Source of Income	Age  Color  Credit Information  Disability  Family responsibilities  Gender identity & Expression Genetic information  Homeless Status  Marital Status  Matriculation  National origin  Personal appearance  Political affiliation  Race  Religion  Sex  Sexual Orientation  Status as a Victim or Family Member of a Victim of Domestic Violence, a Sexual Offense, or Stalking

 

Housing	Public Accommodations or Government Services
Age  Color   Disability  Family Responsibilities  Familial Status  Gender Identity & Expression Homeless Status  Marital Status  Matriculation  National Origin  Personal Appearance  Place of Residence or Business  Political Affiliation  Race   Religion  Sealed Eviction Record  Sex  Sexual Orientation  Source of Income  Status as a Victim of an Intrafamily Offense	Age  Color  Disability  Family Responsibilities  Familial Status  Gender Identity & Expression  Genetic Information  Homeless Status  Marital Status  Matriculation  National Origin  Personal Appearance  Place of Residence or Business  Political Affiliation  Race  Religion  Sex  Sexual Orientation  Source of Income