Government repeals Section 28
On 19 September 2003, The Local Government Act came into law, repealing Section 28, which banned local authorities from ’promoting’ homosexuality. Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford said, ’this legislation is about building thriving, inclusive and sustainable communities and improving people’s quality of life. That is our main goal. This includes repealing Section 28, an unnecessary and discriminatory law.’
Although Section 28 did not apply to schools, the confusion and uncertainty about this law meant that many teachers were unwilling to discuss issues around sexual orientation with students. This added to the discrimination and isolation felt by many young gay and lesbian students. Repealing Section 28 will free up local authorities and schools to address these important issues.
Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003
December 1st 2003 sees new legislation coming into force that will, for the first time, give protection to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the workplace and within vocational training. This will mean protection from harassment, discrimination and victimisation within recruitment, promotion, training, retention and for references. This legislation comes forward from the European Employment Directive, which states that all member states must have protection for these communities.
Age of Consent
In Britain, the age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual men and women is now 16. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act became law in November 2000, allowing the age of consent for gay men to be reduced from 18 to 16.
The House of Commons voted by a large majority to equalise the age of consent, but the Law was blocked several times by the House of Lords (lead by Baroness Young). Eventually the Parliament Act was invoked to force the law through Parliament.
The new Law includes an ’Abuse of Trust’ clause. This means that if someone is in a position of trust towards a person aged between 16 and 18, for instance a teacher, they are not allowed to have sexual relations with the younger party. An offence under this legislation could result in a prison sentence.
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