23 March, 2010

The Government will today implement its protection for gay and lesbian people from homophobic hatred.

The legislation was approved by Parliament last year and will come into force today.

LGBT Labour co-chair Simon Wright said:

"This is an important protection for gay and lesbian people - it makes the hate laws for sexual orientation similar to those for race and religion.

"The Government fought hard against the Tories' attempts to wreck this new law. Ahead of the general election, it's an important reminder that only Labour will stand up for protection and rights for gay and lesbian people."

The battle over the protection from homophobic hatred may continue after the general election. When it was approved by Parliament, an amendment was forced onto the legislation by Tory peer Lord Waddington to allow people with extreme views to be exempted from the new law on the basis of religion.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged to repeal this Tory amendment, by including its repeal in the Labour Party's manifesto for the imminent general election.