Homosexuality: Human Rights

Chris Ruane
To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent steps the Government Equalities Office has taken in respect of the human rights of gay and lesbian people.

Maria Eagle
The UK Government have taken great strides forward to ensure equality for gay and lesbian people in all areas, including all aspects of human rights.

The human rights of everyone in the UK are afforded protection under the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates into UK law the European Convention on Human Rights. We have alongside that protection brought forward specific measures to protect and promote the rights of gay and lesbian people, for example through legislation prohibiting discrimination because of sexual orientation in the workplace and in services and public functions, which provides a private law cause of action for individuals experiencing discrimination.