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 Indiana, 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 prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. These laws apply to various areas including employment, education, housing, and access to public accommodations. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution also play a crucial role in protecting civil rights, particularly in abolishing slavery, ensuring equal protection under the law, and protecting voting rights. Indiana state law also prohibits discrimination and is enforced by the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC). The ICRC investigates complaints of discrimination in areas such as employment, education, credit, public accommodations, and housing. Indiana's civil rights statutes complement federal laws and provide residents with additional protections against discrimination based on specific characteristics such as ancestry and military status.