• “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1

• “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 2

• “Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 21:2

• “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 23:1-2

• “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 7.

• “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16

• “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Constitution of the United States of America, Amendment XIV

All people have a right to fair and equal treatment regardless of race, ethnic identity, national origin, religious affiliation or non-affiliation, gender identity or sexual orientation, or (non-violent) political viewpoint. Bigotry and discrimination of all kinds must be rejected and renounced by governments, groups, and individuals.  Systematic discrimination supported by governments or imposed by secular or religious societies on others are reprehensible.

Human rights and constitutional law guarantee equal treatment free from discrimination. They do not guarantee equality of outcome, which is predicated on effort and conduct. Equality of outcomes has never been achieved by any human society. Heavy-handed attempts to impose such outcomes have only created new forms of oppression and inequality.  However, cultural sensitivity and accommodations, linguistic assistance, consideration of individual circumstances, and other measures are necessary for treatment of different groups and individuals to be truly equal and just.