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Regional Equality & Diversity Partnership


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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender equality

Summary: We are responsible for legislation which protects lesbian, gay and bisexual people from discrimination through the Equality Act 2010 and enables same-sex couples to formally register their partnership through the Civil Partnership Act 2004.

Equality Act 2010 for lesbian, gay and bisexual people

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.

This means that a shopkeeper cannot refuse to serve someone because they are either gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual. This discrimination was made illegal by the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 and is replicated in the Equality Act 2010.

It is also 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 workplace discrimination was made illegal by Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 and is replicated in the Equality Act 2010.

To read more, click here.

Source: hoeoffice.gov.uk


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