In civil rights law, a protected class is a group of people that cannot be denied equal treatment just because they belong to that particular group.

For example, race is a protected class. It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because of their race.

There are currently 28 protected classes in Connecticut, though not every protected class applies in every situation. The current protected classes in Connecticut are:

• Race (including ethnic traits such as hair texture and protective hairstyles under the CROWN Act)

• Color

• Religious creed

• Age (all ages, not just 40+)

• Sex

• Gender identity or expression

• Marital status

• National origin

• Ancestry

• Mental disability (present or past history)

• Intellectual disability (present or past history)

• Learning disability (present or past history)

• Physical disability (including blindness) (present or past history)

• Sexual orientation

• Status as a veteran

• Status as a victim of domestic violence

• Status as a victim of sexual assault (added effective October 1, 2025)

• Status as a victim of trafficking in persons

• Lawful source of income

• Use of a guide dog

• Familial status

• Prior criminal record (with certain exceptions)

Federal law prohibits discrimination against the following protected classes:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (employers with 15+ employees):

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Sex (courts have interpreted this to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity)

• National origin

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (employers with 20+ employees):

• Age (40 years and older only)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (employers with 15+ employees):

• Disability (defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities)

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) (employers with 15+ employees):

• Genetic information

Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA):

• Military service/veteran status

Fair Housing Act (housing):

• Race

• Color

• National origin

• Religion

• Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)

• Familial status

• Disability

Equal Credit Opportunity Act (credit):

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• National origin

• Sex

• Marital status

• Age

• Receipt of public assistance

The best way to determine if you may have been discriminated against is to meet with an attorney about what happened. However, at a minimum:

1. You must have been treated differently because of your protected class, and;

2. The different treatment must have harmed you in some way, resulting in a loss of money and/or emotional distress.

3. If you are a person with a disability, discrimination can also occur if you are not given a reasonable accommodation or reasonable modification that you requested.

If you think you may have been discriminated against, please contact us to schedule a free consultation.

There are three main types of awards you may be given if you win your case. These may not apply in every case, and this list is not exhaustive.

The first is money damages. Depending on the specific facts of your case, money damages may compensate you for out of pocket expenses, lost wages, back pay, loss of a unique housing opportunity, and most importantly, for the emotional distress caused by the discrimination.

The second is injunctive relief, which means the defendant may be ordered to do specific things to prevent them from discriminating against someone else in the future. Examples of injunctive relief include being ordered to: allow a specific reasonable accommodation for a disability, change policies, or train employees.

Finally, a court or administrative agency can order declaratory relief. This is a statement by the court or agency that the defendant did discriminate against you.

Not necessarily. A lawsuit is not always the best course of action, or the one that works the best for you. At Rights & Remedies, we can also help you try to resolve a problem without resorting to litigation. If it makes more sense, we can help you negotiate with the other side in less formal ways, including making pre-litigation demands or attending mediation.

Different kinds of people and organizations with some control over important aspects of your life can commit unlawful discrimination. Here are some examples:

• Employers

• Landlords

• Banks

• Businesses open to the general public, including stores, hotels, restaurants, etc.

• Mortgage brokers

• Mortgage lenders

• Schools, colleges, and universities

• State agencies

• Jails, prisons, detention centers, and other carceral institutions