There are a variety of local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in a variety of settings including: employment, housing, education, credit and public accommodations.

These laws vary widely, but may provide redress for those discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy-related conditions and sexual harassment), age, disability, sexual orientation, familial / marital status and prior arrest / conviction record. These are "protected categories" and only discrimination based on these categories is illegal.

That means that your boss can fire you if he or she thinks you're a lousy dresser and that you can lose your apartment if you listen to your stereo too loud. It becomes a different story, however, if you lose your job or your housing because your boss or landlord doesn't like black people, or Jewish people or those in wheelchairs.

The essence of discrimination is that you are treated differently — usually worse — than others. The big question in discrimination law is whether the motive for that differential treatment was related to a protected category.

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The information provided on Discrimination.com is presented only as general information and nothing herein should be considered legal advice. If you believe you have suffered discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education or access to credit, please consult an attorney.