I feel like I should know the answer to this post, but I don’t. Here’s the question: Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race in federally funded entities. What about discrimination based on sex? Why isn’t there a Title VI equivalent for sex discrimination? Or, why hasn’t Title VI been amended to include discrimination based on sex?
There are certainly statutes that fill some gaps. Title VII prohibits discrimination based on sex in employment. Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded educational institutions. And, the Equal Protection Clause prohibits (subject to intermediate scrutiny) discrimination based on sex by state actors. But, there’s a gap here – federally funded entities that are not educational institutions or state actors who discriminate based on sex in non-employment decisions.
If Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race in those situations, shouldn’t there be a federal law that discriminates based on sex in those situations as well? Am I overlooking something obvious? Have there been attempts that have been unsuccessful? If so, why? If not, why haven’t there been attempts to add to the federal law?
– David S. Cohen
Is it a quiz? I’m going with Title VIII.
I should have seen that coming. Very cute. But, alas, Title VIII (which I had forgotten about) only covers fair housing. It does prohibit race and sex discrimination, but it doesn’t fill the hole I’m talking about here.
From the linked website: “Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act) prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.”