The Supreme Court decided, for example, that sexual harassment constitutes unlawful sex discrimination both in the workplace and in school. Some civil rights are said to belong to every member of society. Every person has the right to fair treatment by the government and the right not to suffer discrimination at work. Many civil rights, although they belong to everyone equally, focus on human characteristics that have been the basis for discrimination and which are now protected. All citizens over eighteen years of age have the same right to vote.
All people have the right to be free from discrimination in the provision of government benefits.
People with disabilities are protected by laws that prohibit discrimination in their jobs, housing, education, and public accommodations. The same right is granted to gay men and lesbians in some states and localities, but is not universal because the federal government has not made a determination about gay and lesbian rights in employment. Because it is an ever-evolving area of the law, lawyers who practice civil rights law can be very helpful in determining whether a person's rights were violated or whether an employer or company is in compliance with the many civil rights laws. It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee in hiring, firing, or job benefits based on the person's age. Similarly, laws grant persons the right to freedom from age discrimination in housing and other areas.