The purpose of this subchapter is to implement provisions of state and federal law which together prohibit discrimination or retaliation against persons or groups, or those associated with them on the basis of an actual or perceived characteristic related to ethnic group identification, national origin, immigration status, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identification, gender expression, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. These laws require that protected persons and groups, or those associated with them, shall neither be denied full and equal access to the benefits of, nor be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity that is administered by, funded directly by, or that receives any financial assistance from, the Chancellor or Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, based upon an actual or perceived characteristic listed in this section.