Press Release issued 9 January 2007 – Sexual Orientation Regulations

Legal Academics urge Government to Stand Firm on New Sexual Orientation Laws

Legal academicsfrom the Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality at the University of Kentare today urging the Government to stand firm on its commitment to lesbian and gay rights. Newregulationswill sooncome before Parliament outlawing discrimination against lesbians and gay men in the provision of goods, facilities and services. These proposed regulations willmake it unlawful for businesses to discriminate against people on the ground of their sexual orientation.

Some religious organisations are pressuring the Government to award sweeping exemptions to the regulations. There will be a debate in the House of Lordstoday in which the religious lobby will arguethat similar regulations already in effect in Northern Ireland should be annulled. In making their arguments,this lobby isusing a number of extremely damaging stereotypes about lesbians and gay men which do not reflect the opinions of UK society in 2007.

The proposed UK regulations are long overdue and have been the result of extensive consultationwith a wide range of organisations, such as employer's organisations, trade unions, academics, activists, and the religious groups themselves. Contrary to what the religious lobby is implying, the regulationsenjoy a great deal of support from many sectors. What these sectorsunderstand is that ifa business providesgoods, facilities or services to the public, oran institution receivespublic funding to do so, then it is unacceptableto distinguish between members of the public with whom itwill and will not deal. Othercountries have successfully outlawed discrimination against lesbians and gay men withoutdestroying religious freedoms and there is no reason to think that it will be any different in the UK.

By previously enacting laws prohibiting discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation in employment, the Government has endorsed the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sexuality. To delay or dilute the currently proposed extension of protection would render the Government's position both immoral and incoherent.

Contact: Emily Grabham 01227 827136, Joanne Conaghan 01227 823308, Rosemary Hunter 01227 824901