Which areas have been added to the protected classes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 originally included several protected classes, such as race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. Over time, additional interpretations and amendments have broadened the scope of protection under this law.

One significant addition is pregnancy. In 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) expanded the definition of sex discrimination to include discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This means that pregnant employees must be treated the same as other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work, thereby offering protections against discrimination.

Another area that has gained recognition in anti-discrimination laws is sexual orientation. Although it was not included in the original Civil Rights Act, interpretations of the law, especially through various court rulings and executive actions, have increasingly recognized sexual orientation as a basis for discrimination. For instance, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in cases like Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) that discrimination based on sexual orientation falls under the category of sex discrimination.

Thus, the correct answer recognizes both pregnancy and sexual orientation as areas that have been added to the scope of protections under federal law, reinforcing the idea that discrimination on these grounds is unlawful. This comprehensive approach addresses evolving