The UK Department of Communities and Local Government has published guidance documents relating to the two sets of Equality Act regulations that came into force on Monday 30 April.
Guidance on New Measures to Outlaw Discrimination on Grounds of Religion or Belief
This document gives guidance on Part 2 of the Equality Act 2006, which comes into effect on 30 April 2007. Part 2 prohibits discrimination against a person because of their religion or belief (including lack of religion or belief) when providing goods, facilities, services, public functions, or education, and in management and disposal of premises. The guidance sets out the effect of the law and the exceptions provided. The most significant exceptions allow charities and other organisations whose purpose is related to religion or belief to serve particular communities. There are also exceptions in public functions, including education.
The booklet can be downloaded as a PDF file here.
This document provides guidance on the practical effects of Part 3 of the Equality Act 2006, which comes into force on 30th April, 2007. Part 3 outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education, the disposal and management of premises and in the exercise of public functions. The guidance sets out the effect of the law and the exemptions provided.
The booklet can be downloaded as a PDF file here.
This is an interesting comment: http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2070077,00.html
The Guardian article is interesting – all part of the process of growing up, which is what the gay community is starting to do. The rights and responsibilities of civil partnerships are part of this escape from the enforced infantilism of non-recognition.
The article is right, though: the whole issue is now so unremarkable and mainstream – and as a result, guess who ends up looking silly when they angst and whine? Got it in one….
Joseph It was an interesting article. Thanks. One of the questions to be asked of many modern dilemmas is “Will they save everyone in a particular category?” The answer to that has to be “no”. When we see religious castes being aware of pedophilic tendncies in priests but then allowing retain their priestly citizenship and positions of office, it begs the question of whether they should deny citizen rights to GLBTs. Similarly, when some humans have become so corrupt and cruel, but declare their innocence through the stature of their perfect male humanness and consistent flattery of Jesus, it begs… Read more »
Cheryl, you blend together two things — giving fallible humans a second chance, and ensuring the civil rights of gays. In theory the Church offers a second chance to everyone, and stands for the civil rights of all. In practice the Church has often failed to body forth the forgiveness of God, or has used it to evade responsibility; and also it has failed often to identify and defend civil rights.