protected class
A class of people who benefit from protection by statute, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, or religion. [Cases: Civil Rights 1007, 1107, 1152, 1165. C.J.S. Civil Rights §§ 2–5, 7–9, 11–13, 18, 22, 26–27, 30–31, 33–37, 41–42, 44, 67, 88.]