Government must not renege on sexual orientation equality promise - Burt

4.48.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 8th Jan 2007

The Government must not renege on its promise for equality for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people, the Liberal Democrats warned ahead of an important debate tomorrow in the House of Lords.

The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) ensures that people in Northern Ireland will be protected against discriminatory practice based on someone's sexual orientation in their everyday lives, specifically with regards to the provision of goods and services.

Commenting Liberal Democrat Women and Equality Spokesperson, Lorely Burt MP said:

"It is imperative that the Government stand firm in their commitment to equality for all.

"There have been a lot of misleading reports about the effect these regulations will have but the changes are necessary measures to end unfair discrimination. Hospitals, for example, should not be allowed to refuse care for someone because of their sexuality.

"It is simply not true that schools will be forced to promote homosexuality, or that proprietors of small, home-run guesthouses will have to offer accommodation to homosexual couples.

"There is reason to be concerned over the inclusion of harassment within the changes, especially because the Government had previously specifically ruled this out for good reasons.

"The regulations, however, should be welcomed because they give people of all sexual orientation the same right not to be discriminated against, as already exists in respect of religion, race and gender."

Applicablity: due to devolution, parts of this item refer to the whole UK and parts refer to only some sections of the UK.