Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.

Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).

Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

In California, civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, along with the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, provide a broad base of civil rights protections against discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. These laws make it illegal to discriminate in various areas, including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations and facilities. Additionally, California has its own set of civil rights statutes that may offer more expansive protections than federal law. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination in employment and housing, while the Unruh Civil Rights Act ensures all persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments. California also has laws that protect voting rights and prohibit discrimination in public education. An attorney specializing in civil rights law can provide guidance on how these laws apply to specific situations.