Public Accommodations Discrimination
You have the right to enter stores, businesses, and other public spaces without being treated differently. If you have been denied service or treated unequally in public, we are here to help.
The Right to Equal Treatment in Public Life
Whether you are shopping, eating at a restaurant, using public transportation, or accessing a government office, you have the legal right to be treated the same as everyone else — regardless of your race, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic.
When a business or public entity treats you differently, refuses you service, or fails to provide equal access because of who you are, that is public accommodations discrimination. Rights & Remedies helps clients in Connecticut hold businesses and public entities accountable for these violations.
What Is a Public Accommodation?
A public accommodation is any business or facility that is open to the general public. This includes:
Retail stores, restaurants, and hotels
Banks and financial institutions
Insurance carriers and providers
Hospitals and medical offices
Transportation services
Entertainment venues, gyms, and recreational facilities
State and local government offices and programs, including schools and police departments
Online services and platforms, in some circumstances
What Conduct Is Prohibited?
Public accommodations laws prohibit businesses from refusing service or providing inferior service based on a protected characteristic. Common violations include:
Refusing entry or service based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity
Treating customers of color differently than white customers — including following, surveilling, or calling law enforcement without basis
Failing to provide accessible services or facilities for people with disabilities
Charging different prices or offering worse terms to customers of a protected class
Connecticut Public Accommodations Law
Connecticut's public accommodations statute is among the strongest in the nation, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, disability, and sexual orientation.
Unlike federal law, Connecticut's public accommodations law does not require the business to be a specific size or type to be covered. If it is open to the public, it is generally covered.
Contact Us
If you have been denied equal access to a business, service, or public facility, contact Rights & Remedies for a free consultation. We will help you understand whether you have a claim and what your options are.