Firms in North face new gay discrimination laws
Businesses in the North will be breaking the law from today if they refuse services to gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
New laws outlawing the denial of goods and services to people on grounds of sexual orientation came into effect in the North ahead of other parts of the UK.
While the move was welcomed by the Northern Ireland Equality Commission, a Democratic Unionist MP attacked it for potentially criminalising business people with deeply held Christian views.
"I am deeply disappointed the Government has decided to press ahead with this legislation in the face of strong opposition from Christian churches throughout Northern Ireland, including the four main denominations," said Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson.
"I believe the Government should have taken note of that opposition and withdrawn the regulations to allow the Assembly the opportunity to discuss and debate these issues in more detail and to amend the regulations so as to protect the rights of Christians.
"There is an ongoing judicial review being taken by a number of Christian groups and we will await the outcome of that.
"I believe the Government is wrong and this will create major problems for Christians who may face charges of discrimination simply because they are following their consciences and deeply held religious beliefs."
Supporters of the legislation argue discrimination on any grounds is wrong and must be challenged.
However, opponents have accused the Government of rushing the legislation through and not giving people in the North enough time to consider it.
They have also claimed the new law would unfairly penalise people running adoption agencies, care homes, bookstores or bed and breakfasts whose Christian beliefs lead them to refuse services to gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.
Bob Collins, the chief commissioner of the North's Equality Commission which will promote and enforce the new law said the regulations would afford gays, lesbians and bisexuals the same protections offered to all ethnic minorities, men and women, people with disabilities and those with religious beliefs.
"Although attitudes have been changing, we have to confront the reality that many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people face unacceptable prejudice in their everyday lives," he said.
"The Equality Commission has been supporting cases brought to the Industrial Tribunal which have highlighted instances of homophobic harassment at work.
"People have already brought to our attention instances where they have been turned away from hotels, bars and clubs, or denied access to transport, simply because of their sexual orientation.
"From January 1 experiences like these may well be covered by the new regulations and the commission can advise and assist people who find themselves in such situations.
"The case for these regulations is the same as that for all equality law. We cannot claim to respect people's dignity while tolerating discrimination against them.
"We cannot call ourselves an inclusive society unless we give equality of opportunity to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
"We have to confront discrimination, challenge stereotypes and change attitudes, on this issue as on others, if we are to achieve a fully just and equal society."
