The City of Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance (law) prohibits employment discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity. There are strict deadlines for filing a charge of discrimination, please review the information in the timeliness tab or call 1-800-669-4000.People who experience discrimination based on any protected categories can contact the PCHR to file a complaint. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression as protected classes under sex discrimination. Some courts have ruled that Title VII also bans discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Under Title VII, sexual orientation is not explicitly stated as a protected status. Although the EEOC states that it is protected, many courts have not agreed.