Familial status is a protected class under federal fair housing laws, specifically under the Fair Housing Act. This protection extends to individuals who are pregnant or have children under the age of 18 living with them. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that families with children are not discriminated against in housing opportunities. This includes ensuring that they have equal access to housing, and it prohibits practices such as refusing to rent to families with children, setting different terms for families with children, or advertising in a way that suggests a preference for tenants without children.
The other options provided do not fall under the protected classes specified by the Fair Housing Act. Political status and gender status, while potentially relevant in various discrimination contexts, are not explicitly named in federal fair housing legislation. Military status, while it may have protections under other laws, especially concerning veterans' rights, is also not a protected class in the context of housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act.