As with the regulations that came into force in Northern Ireland on 1 January,
the GB regulations will protect people from being discriminated against because
of their sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services. These
regulations come into force on the 30th April.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said:
"I am proud to bring forward practical new protections for lesbian, gay and
bi-sexual people.
"The overwhelming majority of people in our country want a society where every
citizen is treated fairly and with respect. This Government, over the last
decade, has done more than any other to build a decent and cohesive society.
"The principles behind these measures are straightforward. It cannot be right
in a decent, tolerant society that a shopkeeper or restaurant can refuse to
serve a customer because they are gay. It cannot be right for a school to
discriminate against a child because of their parents' sexuality or not to take
homophobic bullying as seriously as they should.
"The goal of the new regulations is to make such discrimination illegal. We
want to ensure that when people visit their hospital, study at school or
college, or even do something as everyday as shopping or booking a holiday,
they get treated fairly and with respect, no matter what their sexual
orientation.
"We set out our proposals for consultation last year.
"Whilst the case for this new legislation is widely accepted, it has raised
complex issues about how to reconcile potentially competing rights and
freedoms. That is exactly why we have consulted so extensively.
"There has been a vigorous debate with strong views expressed on all sides,
particularly on the issue of faith based adoption and fostering agencies.
"I am confident that our Regulations strike the right balance in response to
some of the most sensitive challenges we face today. They will tackle practical
barriers and real, everyday problems. They represent a big step forward towards
dignity, respect and fairness for all."
The regulations and consultation response published today reconfirms the
Government's position set out on 29 January on faith based adoption and
fostering agencies. As the Prime Minister said, the Government believes there
is no place in society for discrimination but that in the interests of
vulnerable children, the regulations will provide for a transition period for
faith based adoption and fostering agencies until the end of 2008.
The Regulations will be applicable to a wide range of activities. For instance
it would be unlawful to:
* Refuse a same sex couple a double room in a hotel because this might cause
offence to other customers
* Refuse to provide a gift registration service for couples planning a civil
partnership where such a service was offered to couples planning a wedding.
* Refuse admission to a bar because someone was not gay.
* Refuse a child's admission to a school on the grounds of either their or
their parents' sexual orientation.
* Refuse membership of a sports club to an individual on the grounds of their
sexual orientation.
The Regulations will now go before both Houses for debate and, subject to
Parliamentary approval, come into force on 30th April 2007 the same time as
Part 2 of the Equality Act.
Part 2 provides parallel protection against discrimination in the provision of
goods and services on the grounds of people's religion or belief.
