Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Within the Act, sexual orientation is defined as sexual orientation towards persons of the same sex, persons of the opposite sex or persons of either sex. This means the Act applies equally to discrimination and harassment of heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Sexual orientation does not include gender reassignment, which is separately protected under the Act. Facts and Figures There is no definitive data on the number of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the UK as no national census has ever asked people to define their sexuality. However, it is estimated that 5% to 7% of people in the UK are lesbian, gay or bisexual. (DTI Impact Assessment 2003) There appears to be no significant pay differences for men or women living in same-sex couples compared to men or women who are married or cohabiting, with or without children (single lesbian women and gay men cannot be identified from the Labour Force Survey). According to these data, LGB groups do not appear to experience a pay gap. However, it should be noted that men and women in same-sex couples are often better qualified than cohabiting/married mixed-sex couples which should give them an earnings advantage – 46% of the former had a degree or higher qualification compared to just 25% of the latter in 2009. (EHRC Triennial Review 2010) Research by the Law Society in 2010 found 60% of lawyers under the age of 25 felt able to come out at their first firm, while only 15 per cent of 51 to 55 year olds felt able to on starting their careers. Research by Stonewall has shown that LGB employees perform better at work when they can be themselves. Despite this, 64% of gay men and lesbians experience of sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. (Stormbreak, Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace 2010). 72% of those who had experienced sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace claimed that at least an element of it had been either indirect and/or unintentional (Stormbreak). Useful Links and Support Advisory Conciliation Arbitration Service (ACAS) Equality and Human Rights Commission Home Office Equalities information Trade Union Congress – Equality Issues Stonewall This information is provided by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion. To find out more about the enei, go to www.enei.org.uk.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. Within the Act, sexual orientation is defined as sexual orientation towards persons of the same sex, persons of the opposite sex or persons of either sex. This means the Act applies equally to discrimination and harassment of heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Sexual orientation does not include gender reassignment, which is separately protected under the Act.

Facts and Figures

There is no definitive data on the number of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the UK as no national census has ever asked people to define their sexuality. However, it is estimated that 5% to 7% of people in the UK are lesbian, gay or bisexual. (DTI Impact Assessment 2003)

There appears to be no significant pay differences for men or women living in same-sex couples compared to men or women who are married or cohabiting, with or without children (single lesbian women and gay men cannot be identified from the Labour Force Survey). According to these data, LGB groups do not appear to experience a pay gap. However, it should be noted that men and women in same-sex couples are often better qualified than cohabiting/married mixed-sex couples which should give them an earnings advantage – 46% of the former had a degree or higher qualification compared to just 25% of the latter in 2009. (EHRC Triennial Review 2010)

Research by the Law Society in 2010 found 60% of lawyers under the age of 25 felt able to come out at their first firm, while only 15 per cent of 51 to 55 year olds felt able to on starting their careers. Research by Stonewall has shown that LGB employees perform better at work when they can be themselves. Despite this, 64% of gay men and lesbians experience of sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. (Stormbreak, Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace 2010).

72% of those who had experienced sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace claimed that at least an element of it had been either indirect and/or unintentional (Stormbreak).

Useful Links and Support

Advisory Conciliation Arbitration Service (ACAS)
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Home Office Equalities information
Trade Union Congress – Equality Issues
Stonewall

This information is provided by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion. To find out more about the enei, go to www.enei.org.uk.