The Civil Rights and Elder Justice Section engages with individuals, advocacy organizations, and community groups to investigate and litigate discriminatory policies and practices that harm District residents, including discrimination in housing, education, public accommodations, and employment. The Section also advocates for legislation to strengthen anti-discrimination laws and engages in community outreach to educate residents regarding their rights.
If you believe your civil rights are being violated in DC, please contact our office at 202-727-3400 or OAGCivilRights@dc.gov.
How Does OAG Defend Your Civil Rights?
Civil rights violations unfairly limit opportunity for District residents and offend their personal dignity. OAG’s goal is to ensure equal treatment and meaningful opportunity for all District residents. OAG protects the civil rights of District residents by bringing lawsuits to challenge discrimination, advocating for legislation to strengthen antidiscrimination laws, and engaging in educational community outreach so that residents know their rights. OAG’s primary mission is to investigate and challenge discriminatory policies and practices that have a significant impact on District residents.
What Is Illegal Discrimination?
Illegal discrimination is defined generally as being treated differently than someone else "because of" a protected trait. Illegal discrimination does not have to be intentional. If a practice or policy has the effect of discriminating based on a protected trait, OAG may be able to help.
Who Is Protected Under DC’s Civil Rights Laws?
The District's Human Rights Act is one of the strongest civil rights laws in the country. It protects residents from being treated differently based on:
- Age
- Color
- Credit information
- Disability
- Family responsibilities
- Familial status
- Gender identity or expression
- Genetic information
- Homelessness
- Matriculation, (e.g., student status)
- Marital status
- National origin
- Personal appearance
- Place of residence or business
- Political affiliation
- Race
- Religion
- Sealed eviction record
- Sex, including unequal pay or harassment
- Sexual orientation
- Source of income, (e.g., housing voucher)
- Status as a victim of domestic violence or an intrafamily offense
These are called protected traits. It is illegal to discriminate based on some or all these categories in employment, housing, public accommodations (e.g., businesses that serve the public), or educational institutions.
What Are Examples of Illegal Discrimination?
The following would be considered illegal discrimination if the decision is made because of a protected trait:
Employment
- Hiring or firing someone
- Treating people differently in compensation or working conditions
- Refusing to refer someone for a job
- Excluding someone from a union
- Excluding someone from a training or apprenticeship program
- Advertising for a job indicating a limitation or preference for certain people
Housing
- Refusing to allow someone to rent or buy a property
- Restricting a tenant’s use of facilities
- Not providing reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities
Public Accommodations
- Denying people goods or services
- Publishing advertisements that say that goods or services will be denied based on a protected trait
Education
- Restricting or denying access to services or programs
- Asking about race, color, religion, or national origin in an application for admission except as permitted by regulations
