The government was keen to stress that the guidance accompanying the regulations makes it clear businesses simply need to provide services in a non-discriminatory way – like the vast majority already do
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said on Monday that she believed the new rules were simply about being fair.
“The goal of these regulations is to ensure that when accessing goods, services and facilities, everyone is treated fairly and with respect, no matter what their sexual orientation, religion or belief,” Ms Kelly said.
She added: “I am confident that they strike the right balance to some of the most sensitive challenges we face today and tackle the real, everyday problems which have, for too long, been faced by lesbians and gay people. It cannot be right in a decent, tolerant society that a shopkeeper or restaurant can refuse to serve a customer because of their religion.
“Equally 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. These are rights that the majority of people take for granted.”
The new regulations are part of the Equality Act 2006.
