Proposed Anti-Discrimination Regulations Pose Challenge for Government and Religious Groups

A cautious welcome to the announcement on Monday by the Women and Equality Unit of the DTI consultation ‘Getting Equal: Proposals to Outlaw Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Provision of Goods and Services'

14 March 2006

The Evangelical Alliance gave a cautious welcome to the announcement on Monday by the Women and Equality Unit of the DTI consultation ‘Getting Equal: Proposals to Outlaw Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Provision of Goods and Services'. It encouraged as many people as possible to respond to the consultation which has a closing date of June 5th.

The proposals are designed to introduce regulations in October that will seek to prevent discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in areas other than employment, in both public and private sectors.

Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance said, “This is an important consultation document and we trust the Government will listen carefully to responses from those who could be adversely affected by the proposals when it actually legislates. At the same time we believe that whatever peoples’ sexual orientation there is no case for subjecting them to abuse, hostility, vilification and intimidation, and the vast majority of evangelical Christians insist on values of mutual respect and the essential human dignity and inherent worth of everyone.

” Head of Public Affairs, Don Horrocks added, “We hope that as many people as possible take part in responding to this consultation. There is no doubt that the extension of rights for one group often has the potential to impact the rights of others. We commend the Government for acknowledging the position of religious and charitable organisations as well as individuals where their freedom to practise and advance their historic faith may be adversely impacted by these regulations. In a document that proposes exceptions to the legislation for several different groups, relevant exceptions for religious groups are entirely appropriate to enable them to continue to function in accordance with their ethos. We welcome the constructive spirit in which the Government has formulated its proposals. However, serious concerns remain and clarification is necessary on a number of points. We trust that the consultation exercise will result in the fair balancing of different rights in accordance with human rights law”