Explain the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. Since the early twentieth century, the protections of the Bill of Rights have gradually been extended to cover actions of state and local officials as well as individuals and organizations. In order to do this, the federal courts have relied on the Fourteenth Amendment, which reads in part, "nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
2. The Equal Protection Clause has been used to prevent state officials from discriminating based on certain personal characteristics, most commonly race or sex.
3. The Equal Protection Clause has been used to strike down segregation and laws restricting same-sex marriage.