A link to the US Code and a summary of the law with helpful links. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.Sex. The 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII) prohibits treating someone differently or unfavorably because of that person's sex. Under federal law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, and national origin. Unlike Massachusetts law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not specifically include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes. In order to pursue a Title VII claim, you must file a charge with EEOC first. Filing a Title VII charge will not extend the deadline for filing an EPA lawsuit. Massachusetts has laws in place against discrimination on the job. However, the Supreme Court limited its decision in Burke to the pre1991 version of Title VII. This is true because there may be overlapping provisions of state and federal law.