Legal Definitions - Protected class

A protected class is a group of people who are legally protected against discrimination or retaliation by Congress or a state legislature. This means that it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their membership in a protected class.

Examples of protected classes include:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• National origin
• Sex
• Age
• Disability
• Genetic information

For example, it is illegal for an employer to refuse to hire someone because of their race or religion. It is also illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone because of their national origin or disability.

These examples illustrate the definition of a protected class because they show how members of these groups are legally protected against discrimination. If someone is discriminated against because of their membership in a protected class, they can take legal action to protect their rights.