Sexual orientation
Legal protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation applies to everyone, whatever their sexual orientation.
Sexual orientation and the law
Sexual orientation discrimination includes being treated less favourably because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight or 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.
Useful websites/organisations
DiversityNow is an organisation that mentors job seekers from diverse backgrounds, and that helps prestigious employers committed to diversity to target and hire candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Equality & Human Rights Commission - merging the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Rights Commission, this site offers information on the rights, including employment rights of various diverse groups.
Prospects Graduate Careers website - in the jobs section you will find a useful section on equal opportunities and then on sexual orientation.
Stonewall - gay, lesbian and bisexual charity which has a work section including Stonewall's Top 100 Employers
University of Westminster Careers and Student Employment Service -useful online resources to assist Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (GLB) students and graduates .
This article was published on Aug 13, 2010