Equality and Human Rights Commission

Legal protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation applies to everyone, whatever their sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation discrimination includes being treated less favourably because:

• you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight
• people think you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight, or
• you are associated with someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight, for example a friend, relative or colleague.

The law applies to direct and indirect discrimination as well as to harassment and victimisation. The law applies to the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.