California Unruh Civil Rights Act Attorney

We help put the 'fair' back in 'fair fight'

The Unruh Civil Rights Act provides protection from discrimination by all business establishments in California, including housing and public accommodations.

The Unruh Civil Rights Act specifically outlaws discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability, age or medical condition (including HIV status), however the California Supreme Court has held that the protections of the Unruh Act are not restricted to these characteristics. The Unruh Act has been used to fight discrimination against LGBT persons in California.

The Act covers arbitrary and intentional discrimination by a business on the basis of personal characteristics. It draws a clear distinction between the rights of a business to refuse service based on conduct; misconduct or disruptive behavior may be grounds for refusing to do business or denying services.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against in housing or by a business, the San Francisco LGBT civil rights attorneys at The Dolan Law Firm can help you understand your rights under the Unruh Act and other California anti-discrimination laws. We have extensive experience bringing — and winning — discrimination cases in court. See a few of our representative cases.

Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees or costs upfront. If we obtain a recovery on your behalf, we receive a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you. No recovery, no fee.

Contact our San Francisco law firm to speak with a California Unruh Civil Rights Act lawyer who understands the challenges LGBT people face.

California Civil Code Section 51

(a) This Section shall be known, and may be cited, as the Unruh Civil Rights Act.

(b) All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.

(c) This Section shall not be construed to confer any right or privilege on a person that is conditioned or limited by law or that is applicable alike to persons of every sex, color, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation.

(e) For purposes of this Section:

(5) "Sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation" includes a perception that the person has any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories or that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any particular characteristic or characteristics within the listed categories.

(6) "Sexual orientation" has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (q) of Section 12926 of the Government Code.

51.5 (a) No business establishment of any kind whatsoever shall discriminate against, boycott or blacklist, or refuse to buy from, contract with, sell to, or trade with any person in this state on account of any characteristic listed or defined in subdivision (b) or (e) of Section 51, or of the person's partners, members, stockholders, directors, officers, managers, superintendents, agents, employees, business associates, suppliers, or customers, because the person is perceived to have one or more of those characteristics, or because the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.

(b) As used in this Section, "person" includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, limited liability company, or company.

San Francisco LGBT Discrimination Lawyer

If you believe that you are being discriminated against, contact The Dolan Law Firm for a free case evaluation. Speak with a San Francisco LGBT housing discrimination lawyer today.

Our lawyers work on a contingency meaning that you pay no fees or costs upfront. If we obtain a recovery on your behalf, we receive a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you. No recovery, no fee.