Here are some examples of housing discrimination. John, who is a Black man, speaks to a prospective landlord on the phone about leasing an apartment.Federal and state law prohibit Virginia employers from discriminating against employees based on certain characteristics, such as race or religion. In plain English, to discriminate means distinguishing, singling out, or making a distinction. We discriminate all the time in everyday life. At VA, we don't exclude people or treat them differently based on their race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex, or disabilities. The Virginia statute against discrimination in the workplace applies only to employers with six or more employees, while Title. The legal definition of discrimination. What is Discrimination? Reprisal for participating in the EEO process or opposing unlawful discrimination.