Your rights

There have been many changes to legislation affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people in recent years and there will continue to be ongoing developments in how the law affects our communities.

The law is only useful if we know how to use it to protect our legal rights but it is sometimes difficult to keep up to date on how any changes in the law might affect you.

This section of our website outlines further equalities for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people and includes updates on: The Equality Act 2010; civil partnerships, same sex parenting, international rights, useful links and legal services and much more.

It is vitally important that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are able to keep informed about their legal and civil rights and how we can begin to use these rights in a way that will make a difference to all of our lives for the better.

We hope that this guide proves to be useful for anyone seeking a quick and easy reference to the current legal issues affecting LGB people.

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation believes in a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay and bisexual people can achieve their full potential.

Discrimination against our communities is a breach of our fundamental human right to equal treatment and respect for individual dignity.

It is vital that we feel confident in challenging people’s attitudes whenever their views mean that we are not treated as fairly as the rest of society.

It is important that we are able to stand up and fight discrimination faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people because of our sexual orientation.

If you would like more information on how we can support you in this area please let us know.

Tel: 0845 3 30 30 30 | E-mail: info@lgf.org.uk | In person: Number 5, Richmond Street,Manchester, M1 3HF.

The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 brings together more than forty years of equality legislation and aims to protect the rights

Despite its repeal in 2003, the legacy of Section 28 can still be felt. Section 28 stated that

In 2010, the Government issued the document ‘Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality&rsq

When you go to see the doctor, or you’re filling out a staff survey, and are asked about your sexual orienta

Over the last decade there have been many changes in legislation that affect lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Ove

The age of consent is 16 but this does not mean that you have to have sex at 16. Only have sex

Here we look at what Civil Partnerships mean and also, as many of us do and have done, co

There has never been a law preventing lesbian, gay or bisexual individuals from adopting children, however there a

Many people will face housing problems at one time or another lesbian, gay and bisexual people still face

Homophobic abuse is more common than most people think.

The National Health Service (NHS) constitution states ‘You have the right to access NHS services. You will n

The Employment Act 2010 now encapsulates all previous legislation under one statute. T

The law extends State Pension rights to civil partners. Civil partners who do not have

As a lesbian, gay or bisexual person looking after a partner, there may be pressure to ‘come out&rsq

The death penalty for being gay or lesbian exists in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan and Mauritania and parts of

Your rights

The Equality Act 2010

Education & The Law

Government LGBT Action Plan

Sexual Orientation Monitori…

An LGB 21st Century so far

Sex

Relationships

Same sex parenting

Housing

Hate crime

Health

Work

Later life

Carers

Refugee & Asylum