Can interviewers ask details about religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity?

Hello. In the professional world employers are not permitted to ask potential candidates about topics that underlie protected characteristics (unless they are ready for lawsuit). So I wonder does it work the same way for medical school interviews? Let’s say a Muslim woman is interviewed and an interviewer asks her “Are you Sunni or Shiite?” Or “You said you are queer, so could you tell me more about it?” Or “you are from Poland, are both of your parents ethnic Polands?” Or “I see you are... Can interviewers ask details about religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity?
Source: Student Doctor Network - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Tags: Pre-Medical - MD Source Type: forums