EHRC Guidance: Sexual Orientation Discrimination

In brief

EHRC's public-facing guidance explaining the Equality Act's provisions on sexual orientation discrimination. Covers the definition of sexual orientation as a protected characteristic, types of discrimination, and lawful exceptions.

Key provisions

• holding-1 — What the Equality Act says about sexual orientation discrimination: Explains the scope of sexual orientation discrimination protection under the Equality Act, covering lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual orientations.
• holding-2 — Different types of sexual orientation discrimination: Describes different types of sexual orientation discrimination with examples relevant to workplace and service provision contexts.
• holding-3 — Circumstances when differential treatment is lawful: Explains when differential treatment related to sexual orientation is lawful, including religious organisations' exceptions and genuine occupational requirements.

When relevant

Distinguishing between sexual orientation and gender identity in policy design. Ensuring policies don't conflate LGB and T protections, which are separate protected characteristics under the EA2010.