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Youth | Discrimination | National/Federal

Never assume you are NOT protected. Contact us at GLAD Answers for help!

National/Federal Discrimination Q&A

At School

  • Laws in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont explicitly protect you from discrimination or harassment in public school based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, sex or HIV status.
  • Federal law also protects you from discrimination based on your sex or HIV status at any school that receives federal funding no matter where you live. And in many cases, protection against sex discrimination can protect against discrimination based on gender identity or expression and sometimes against sexual orientation discrimination.
  • Remember that no matter where you go to school, you have a right to be safe. See Bullying, and contact GLAD Answers if you are experiencing any discrimination, bullying or harassment.

Outside School

  • In all six New England states there are explicit laws protecting you from discrimination based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation, HIV status or sex in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations, like restaurants, public transportation or stores.
  • Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont law also prohibit discrimination based on your actual or perceived gender identity in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. Massachusetts law prohibits discrimination based on your actual or perceived gender identity in employment, housing, credit and services.
  • Even where there is no explicit gender identity protection, you may still be protected using a different characteristic like sex, sexual orientation or disability.
  • Federal law sometimes provides additional protections.

News & Blogs

Cases