Publications - Sexual Orientation

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 became law on 5th December 2005 and will apply in Northern Ireland, as well as in Scotland and England and Wales. The Act will enable same-sex couples to form a civil partnership. Once registered, civil partners will generally enjoy all the same rights and responsibilities as married couples.

The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has concluded its consultation on proposed amendments to the Sexual Orientation Regulations which are necessary to take account of the introduction of civil partnership.

The Promoting Equality of Opportunity – A Single Equality Bill for Northern Ireland consultation in summer 2001 described the present equality framework and sought views on the scope and content of the proposed Bill. The consultation process confirmed that more detailed consideration of many equality issues, in particular the recently agreed and finalised European Directives on Race and Employment, was necessary before conclusions on the content and scope of the Bill could be reached.

The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 make it unlawful to discriminate against an individual on grounds of sexual orientation in employment and training.