How has the Supreme Court interpreted the equal protection clause of the US Constitution?

The Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution (14th Amendment) prohibits the government from engaging in discriminatory behavior on the basis of race, color, or national origin. This clause is one of the most important civil rights protections available to individuals, and the Supreme Court has interpreted it in a variety of ways over the years. The Supreme Court has held that the Equal Protection Clause applies to all levels of government in both the state and federal contexts, and that all individuals must be treated equally by the government regardless of their actual or perceived race, color, or national origin. In addition, the Supreme Court has interpreted the clause to protect individuals from racial discrimination that is the result of implicit or unconscious biases, even if there is no direct evidence of discrimination. The Supreme Court has also held that the Equal Protection Clause applies to classifications based on gender and sexual orientation as well. In 2003, the Court held that the Equal Protection Clause prevented state governments from denying same-sex couples the right to marry and in 2020, the Court held that the clause also protects transgender individuals from discrimination in the workplace. By interpreting the Equal Protection Clause broadly, the Supreme Court has been able to help protect individuals from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, and sexual orientation. This interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause has been instrumental in making sure that all individuals are treated equally and with dignity regardless of their race, color, national origin, or other protected characteristics.

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How has the Supreme Court interpreted the equal protection clause of the US Constitution?

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