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EQUALITY ACT (SEXUAL ORIENTATION) REGULATIONS 2007

This act is a huge step forward for all lesbian, gay and  bisexual (LGB) people in the UK. It came into effect on 30th April 2007. 

After years of steady campaigning by many different gay rights groups such as Stonewall, LGB people finally have protection under the law that will make it an offence to discriminate against people solely on the grounds of their sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities or services.

The regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s:

·         Actual sexual orientation

·         The sexual orientation he / she is thought to have and /or

·         The sexual orientation of someone with whom he/she is associated

The new act will protect all individuals from discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education, disposal & management of premises as well as other areas.

The act prevents any discrimination in the following ways:

Direct discrimination takes place when someone is treated less favourably than other people are / would be treated. For example:

·         Refused bookings by tour operators

·         Refused entry or encountered hostile treatment in pubs, bars and restaurants

·         Denied shared accomadation in hotels, guesthouses and B and Bs

The regulations apply to all forms of goods, facilities and services including: access to and use of a public place; accommodation in hotels and boarding houses; banking and insurance; entertainment and recreation; transport and travel and professional or trade services.

Indirect discrimination occurs when practices that are applied generally result in people of a particular sexual orientation being put at a disadvantage. This applies even if the negative impact is unintentional.

Schools will need to make sure that gay or lesbian pupils, or the children of gay or lesbian parents are not singled out for different and less favourable treatment from that given to other pupils. They will need to ensure that homophobic bullying is taken as seriously and dealt with as firmly as bullying on any other ground.

Those responsible for other public services, such as hospitals, GPs and housing services will need to ensure that the environment is one in which LGB people are able to access services and be treated as courteously and professionally as heterosexual people.

Written by an eefo.net user

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