What does Title VII state about same-gender harassment?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The correct interpretation regarding same-gender harassment is that Title VII extends protections to individuals who are sexually harassed by someone of the same gender. This understanding was reinforced in various court rulings, notably in the Supreme Court case Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, which established that same-gender harassment is a violation of Title VII if it meets the criteria for harassment based on sex.

This protection means that individuals cannot be subjected to a hostile work environment or discriminated against based solely on their gender identity during harassment claims. Therefore, the correct choice accurately reflects the law's intent to provide comprehensive protections against all forms of gender-based harassment, regardless of whether the harasser and victim are of the same gender or different genders. This inclusive approach is significant as it acknowledges that harassment can occur between individuals of the same gender and still be rooted in discriminatory motives related to sex.