Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that makes it illegal to discriminate employees based on race, color, religion, or sex. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.The Civil Rights Act of 1964, and specifically Title VI and Title VII, established fundamental protections in education and employment. Title VII was meant to end the employment discrimination that was keeping African Americans and others in poverty. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Rules That Title VII Prohibits Sexual Orientation Discrimination. Title VI protects all students from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in schools that receive federal financial assistance. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act became law 60 years ago, on July 2, 1964. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act became law 60 years ago, on July 2, 1964. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act applied the prohibition of employment discrimination to employers with fifteen or more employees. Title VII, which banned employers from discriminating on the basis of race, was and is a central component of the Civil Rights Act.