Frequently-asked questions
How equal are we now?
Have a look at our page on legal equality.
What happened about Section 28?
It was abolished in November 2003, hooray. Get further details here.
What's the law on public sex?
Better than it was. Gross Indecency has been abolished, for a start. For a summary of the law as we understand it, follow this link.
If I give evidence against someone in Court, will I get Outed in the media?
Nowadays the Courts can offer helpful protection against being Outed. Have a look at our page about reporting crime.
What are the facts about workplaces?
Trans people have been protected in the workplace by Sex Discrimination law since 1999. LGB people are also now protected, since December 2003.
Is someone is getting phobic grief at work (whether or not they're actually LGB or Trans)?Does your workplace just have a generally phobic atmosphere?
Both these things are now unlawful. A complainant will be given anonymity in the employment tribunal (if they want it), but they will still need to consider that they may be at risk of Outing themselves amongst their workmates if they start grievance proceedings under the new law. We may be able to help: contact our helpline team.
What are the facts about hotels and B&Bs?
As of 30 April 2007 all hotels and B&Bs now have to offer equal access. If they have double beds they have to provide them equally for same-sex and opp-sex couples. (If they say their double-bed rooms are only for married couples, not for people with civil partnerships, that's also unlawful: they have to treat civil-partnered couples exactly equally with married opp-sex couples.) They must not discriminate against LGB individuals or couples, or treat them less favourably than straight individuals or opp-sex couples. A "family" hotel now has to be open on an equal inclusive basis for LGB families (i.e. couples, children etc.) and for straight families.