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

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

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

  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
  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