The General Equal Treatment Act identifies six ‘protected characteristics’ that are safeguarded against discrimination under the law (1 to 6). Additionally, the guidelines against Discrimination of TU Darmstadt specifiy further characteristics that are protected against discrimination within the university context (7 and 8):

• Racist attributions (based on physical traits, presumed origin and/or religion, name, etc.)
• Religious affiliation or worldview
• Gender or gender-related attributions
• Sexual orientation and/or identity
• Physical and mental impairments as well as chronic illnesses
• Age
• Social origin or socioeconomic status
• Family caregiving responsibilities (e.g., parenthood, care of family members)

According to the understanding outlined in the guidelines, discrimination is based on ascriptions or affiliations that are part of historically evolved, socially significant structures of inequality. A horizontal approach is also applied, meaning that all protected characteristics are deemed equally deserving of protection.