Government equality pledge could make B&B gay ban illegal
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


The government has announced it intends to introduce a new Single Equality Act that could protect all minority groups on the same level, including lesbians and gay men, with regards to goods and services.

The pledge came during a seminar at the Department of Trade and Industry, from women and equality minister Jacqui Smith MP.

It follows a case in Scotland where a bed and breakfast owner refused to allow a gay couple to share a bed in his lodgings, because he did not wish to "condone their sexual perversions".

Gay rights group Stonewall says the commitment is a major step forward for equality and, if successful, the Single Equality Act would make such a case illegal in the future.