Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Equality
“Working
for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality" was
launched by the Prime Minister on 16th June 2010. The ambitious
programme of work outlined the actions Government will take to
address outdated prejudices and tear down barriers to equal
opportunities at a Pride reception held at No 10 Downing Street,
attended by GEO ministers, Rt Hon Theresa May and Lynne
Featherstone, entrepreneurs, celebrities and those who work for LGB
and T equality.
Legislation has been introduced to protect
lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination.
Sexual orientation and the law
The Government Equalities Office is
responsible for policy relating to sexual orientation including
Civil Partnerships and the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation)
Regulations 2007, now incorporated in the Equality Act 2010.
Civil partnership
Civil partnership is a legal relationship,
exclusively for same-sex couples and distinct from marriage, but
giving them very similar rights and responsibilities.
Civil partnerships provide a legal framework
within which same-sex couples may organise their joint lives,
acknowledge their mutual responsibilities and manage their
financial arrangements.
Civil partnership was made legal by the Civil
Partnership Act 2004. Under ‘Related Links’ you can download a
number of key documents associated with the Act.
Some same sex overseas relationships will
automatically be considered as civil partnerships in the UK. There
is a list of them at:
Schedule 20. Not all of these countries recognise British civil
partnerships in return.
You can find more information about how to
register a civil partnership at the website of the
General Register Office or at your local register office.
Discrimination against customers
It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds
of sexual orientation when providing goods, facilities or services,
in education, when selling or letting premises or when exercising
public functions. For instance, if a hotel hosts wedding
receptions, it must also host civil partnership receptions.
This discrimination was made illegal by the
Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 and is
replicated in the Equality Act 2010. For more information about how
the Regulations work in practice, please see the
Guidance Document.
You can download a number of key documents
associated with the Regulations, including the
consultation and response,
the text of the
Regulations themselves and an
explanatory memorandum.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission can
sometimes help people to pursue claims under the Equality Act
(Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007. See the EHRC website for more
information.
Workplace discrimination
It is illegal for employers to discriminate
against their employees on the grounds of sexual orientation. For
instance, you can’t refuse someone a job because of their sexual
orientation (whether they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or
heterosexual) or treat them less favourably than you would treat an
employee of a different sexual orientation. There are exceptions
for jobs where it is necessary to be of a particular sexual
orientation.
The laws making workplace discrimination
illegal are the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation)
Regulations 2003. The Department
of Business, Innovation and Skills lead on these
regulations.
If you feel you are being discriminated
against at work because of your sexual orientation, you can contact
the Equality and Human Rights Commission for further information
and perhaps help in pursuing your claim. Full contact details are
on their website.
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