Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the remarks by Baroness O'Cathain on 21 March (Official Report col. 1299), whether, under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, homosexual groups will be permitted to discriminate against heterosexuals; and, if so, whether they intend to remedy this.
Answer
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 will prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, education, the disposal and management of premises and the exercise of public functions. This provides protection for everyone—heterosexual, lesbian, gay and bisexual—on grounds of their sexual orientation, on a par with that already provided for disability, race and gender, and alongside that shortly to be provided for religion or belief. The regulations protect people from being treated less favourably because of their sexual orientation, but provide for some exceptions from the requirement for equal treatment. For example, religious organisations that fulfil certain criteria may restrict some of their activities on grounds of sexual orientation; services to meet special needs for education, training or welfare of people of a particular sexual orientation may be provided; and private clubs will be able to restrict the benefits of membership to people of a particular sexual orientation where this is the main object of the club.