Massachusetts civil rights laws protect individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, mortgage lending, credit and education. Each of these areas offers specific protections to particular groups. Protected groups include:

Disability (defined according to the Americans with Disabilities Act - physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities)
Race
Color
National Origin
Family Status
Source of Income (includes Section 8 and Welfare)
Marital Status (includes married and non-married)
Sex (includes sexual harassment, male and female)
Sexual Orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual)
Age
Religion
Military Status