In the news
Tell us what you think! 
We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to tell us what you think about our magazine by completing our 'Singled out? Sort it out!' survey. We will use your feedback to improve our guides and make sure they are as helpful as possible.
Berkshire B&B bungle
In March 2010 the papers reported about a gay couple, who were turned away from bed and breakfast accommodation in Berkshire because it was against the owners’ Christian beliefs to let them share a bed. The couple said, 'This was the first time either of us had experienced homophobia at first hand, despite being aged 56 and 62'. Fortunately for them, it has been against the law for service providers to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation since 2007. Liberty, the civil liberties organisation, is planning to take the owners to court on the couple’s behalf.
BNP goes inclusive
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) took the British National Party (BNP) to court in 2009, arguing that restricting membership of the party to white people or certain ethnic groups was race discrimination. As a result, the BNP was forced to change its membership rules to include Black, Asian and minority ethnic people. Don’t all rush at once!
Council caught out over equal pay
Women in traditionally female roles at Birmingham City Council won the right to be paid the same as male colleagues in the same pay grade in 2010. A tribunal heard that its refuse workers were taking home up to £51,000 a year including bonuses. But lollipop ladies, cleaners and the like, to whom the bonus scheme was not applied, earnt less than £12,000.
Cross nurse
A nurse accused her employer of religious discrimination when they told her she could not wear her crucifix outside her uniform. They said it was a health and safety risk because a patient could grab it. The nurse refused to tuck it inside her uniform, saying that this would disrespect her religion. In 2010, a tribunal rejected her claim for religious discrimination, saying that wearing a crucifix was not a requirement of Christianity.
I will relate to you...but only if you’re straight
In 2008, Relate Avon sacked one of their counsellors because he refused to offer sex therapy to gay couples. Although the counsellor’s actions clearly went against the organisation’s equal opportunities policy, he brought a claim against them for unfair dismissal. The tribunal confirmed that Relate was within its rights to sack him.
Type your comment
* indicates a required field.