“Unruh Act. In California, the basic civil rights statute is known commonly as the Unruh Act. [Civ. Code, §§ 51 et seq.] This statute contains a number of different provisions, but the basic protection are included in Civ. Code, § 51, which provides that all persons within California are free and equal and, no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin, or physical disability, are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever. Fair Employment & Housing Act. Another significant statute is the California Fair Employment and Housing Act [Gov. Code, §§ 12900 et seq.], which contains broad prohibitions against discrimination in housing and employment. Code Specific Provisions. There are innumerable California statutes prohibiting discrimination. Specific protection is included in virtually every code. [See, for example, Bus & Prof. Code, § 23428.27 (prohibiting issuance of liquor license to club that discriminates on basis of race, religion, sex, etc.); Ed. Code, §§ 200 et seq. (prohibiting sex discrimination in schools); Ins. Code, § 679.71 (“redlining” statute barring use of race, sex, color, religion, or national origin as a “risk” factor justifying higher insurance rates or to deny insurance)]. Interference with Civil Rights. In addition to providing basic rights, some civil rights statutes also make it illegal to interfere with a person’s civil rights. [See, for example, Civ. Code, § 52 (banning interference with civil rights and providing treble damages)].”
[California Civil Practice: Civil Rights Litigation [certain citations omitted]]
