The Judicial Branch and Civil Rights

In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson that segregation of public facilities was constitutional as long as the facilities were equal in quality.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868, guarantees equal protection under the law to all citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson.

In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in Loving v. Virginia that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional, legalizing interracial marriage in the United States.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex couples have the right to marry, legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States.

The Judicial Branch is responsible for interpreting and applying the laws of the land, including those that protect civil rights.

While the right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment, it is not considered a civil right in the same way that freedom of speech, religion, and privacy are.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark federal law that prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena that laws that discriminate based on race must be subjected to "strict scrutiny," meaning that they must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

In 1976, the Supreme Court ruled in Craig v. Boren that laws that discriminate based on sex must be subjected to "intermediate scrutiny," meaning that they must be substantially related to an important government interest.

Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination in public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

In 1955, the Supreme Court ruled in Williamson v. Lee Optical of Oklahoma that laws that discriminate based on economic status must be subjected to "rational basis review," meaning that they must be rationally related to a legitimate government interest.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications.

In 1995, the Supreme Court ruled in Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena that laws that discriminate based on suspect classifications, such as race or sex, must be subjected to "heightened scrutiny," meaning that they must be necessary to achieve a compelling government interest.