New measures are being introduced to tackle the North's homophobia problem.
Anti-discrimination legislation is to be widened to ensure goods and services are made available to gays and lesbians.
It includes preventing gays or lesbians from being turned away from hotels or being denied house tenancies.
Northern Secretary Peter Hain has also promised fresh financial backing for organisations which support the gay community.
The announcement came on the eve of the Belfast Pride arts and culture festival.