Civil rights generally refers to the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion. Discrimination occurs when a person’s rights are denied or interfered with on the basis of their membership in such a particular group or class.

Civil rights are distinct from civil liberties, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, and other rights in the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution).

Civil rights law includes the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution—and federal statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

In Delaware, civil rights are protected under both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 provide broad protections against discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and age. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection under the law, the Fifteenth Amendment protects voting rights regardless of race, and the Twenty-Fourth Amendment prohibits poll taxes in federal elections. Delaware state law also prohibits discrimination in many of the same areas as federal law and may offer additional protections. For instance, the Delaware Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, age, marital status, genetic information, and sexual orientation, among other categories. The Delaware Equal Accommodations Law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation. Individuals who believe their civil rights have been violated can seek remedies through various means, including filing complaints with the appropriate state or federal agencies, or by pursuing litigation with the assistance of an attorney.