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 The ambitious programme of work outlined the actions Government will take to address outdated prejudices and tear down barriers to equal opportunities at a Pride reception held at No 10 Downing Street, attended by GEO ministers, Rt Hon Theresa May and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.