Which title addresses discrimination in public accommodations?

• A. Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
• B. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
• C. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
• D. Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Answer: (D)

Public accommodations are places that serve the general public—hotels, restaurants, theaters, and similar venues. The provision that specifically targets discrimination in those settings is Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits denying or limiting access to services or facilities in public accommodations on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. This statute is designed to ensure equal access to everyday public services and venues.

The Equal Protection Clause is a constitutional guarantee that applies to state action in a broad sense, not a statute focused on public venues. Title VI bars discrimination by entities receiving federal funds, like some schools and programs, but it isn’t about all public accommodations. Title VII deals with employment discrimination, not the provision of goods and services to the public.