Protected Characteristics The Equality Act 2010 can be applied in many different ways; one of its main features is Protected Characteristics. Last updated: 25 March 2022 Protected Characteristics refers to groups of people who are more likely to be discriminated against or disadvantaged because of a characteristic they share. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against people with a Protected Characteristic. The Protected Characteristics are: Age Protects people from being treated unfairly because of their age, or because they're part of a particular age group. Disability Protects people from being treated unfairly because they have, or have had, a disability. A person has a disability if they have or have had a physical or mental impairment which has had a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Gender reassignment Protects people from being treated unfairly because they are considering transitioning, in the process of transitioning or have transitioned. Gender reassignment can be described as the process of transitioning from one gender to another. We use the term transgender as an umbrella term to describe people whose gender identity is different than the gender assigned to them at birth. You don’t need to have had any specific treatment or surgery to be considered transgender or to be protected by the act. Changing your physiological or other gender attributes is a personal process rather than a medical one Marriage and civil partnership Protects people who are married or in civil partnerships. People living together, single people, people who are engaged or intend to marry are not protected. Pregnancy and Maternity Protects people from being discriminated against, or treated unfavourably because they are pregnant, have given birth recently, are breastfeeding or on maternity leave. Race Protects groups of people defined by their colour, race, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins. Religion and belief Protects people against discrimination because of their religious or philosophical beliefs. This also includes lack of belief. A belief needs to affect your life choices or the way you live for it to be included in the definition. Sex Protects men and women against discrimination. Inter-sex people are not explicitly protected from discrimination, but you cannot be discriminated against because of your gender or perceived gender. Sexual orientation Protects people of all sexual orientations (gay, bisexual, lesbian, straight) against discrimination.