Harassment based on which of the following is prohibited by federal anti-discrimination laws?

Federal anti-discrimination laws prohibit harassment based on specific characteristics recognized as protected categories. These categories include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics safeguarded under various federal statutes, such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The laws are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly in the workplace, and any harassment based on these protected characteristics undermines that goal.

While factors like sexual orientation, age, and disability may also face discrimination, they do not receive universal protection under federal laws. For instance, while some states or localities include sexual orientation in their own anti-discrimination laws, it is not yet federally protected. Similarly, harassment based solely on age or disability does not encompass the broader spectrum of protections that are found in the correct answer. Therefore, option C encompasses the essential aspects of harassment that are legally recognized and prohibited, providing a more comprehensive understanding of federal anti-discrimination laws.