In the face of considerable homophobic pressure and protest, the United Kingdom Parliament has this month become one of a few countries worldwide to pass legislation to abolish exemptions that allow faith based organisations to discriminate against gay and lesbians.
After both major parties allowed a conscience vote on the changes, the House of Commons and the House of Lords both delivered the majority necessary to secure a victory for the gay and lesbian community, with both Labour Leader Tony Blair and Tory Leader David Cameron voting in favour.
The vote was not without its rifts, with both parties having strong vocal opponents of the legislation. In her speech to Parliament Baroness O’Cathian emerged as one of the strongest adversaries, stating ‘I turn to the fundamental issues raised by the regulations and how they impinge on people’s religious beliefs. I venture to suggest that most religious believers hold that sex is only for marriage. That rules out adultery, sex before marriage and homosexual practice’
Despite opposition the gay and lesbian community has welcomed the changes which will increase their access to goods and services that they have in the past been prevented from utilising due to the discriminative exclusions – including services such as bed and breakfast accommodation and adoption support organisations.
‘We look forward to the implementation of the regulations. They will make a real difference to the lives of millions of lesbian and gay people in this country’ said Andy Forest, spokesperson for Stonewall, the United Kingdom’s largest Gay and Lesbian lobby group.
The legislation is a major step towards eradication of all legislative discrimination in the United Kingdom and may become an important precedent for legislators in Australia where religious exemptions still remain in both State and Federal law.
The changes will come into force on the 30th of April, with adoption agencies given a transitional reprieve until 2008.
Craig Comrie
