Earlier this year, Britain's Parliament passed the Equality Act which authorizes the government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, in education, and in the exercise of public functions. In March, the government issued a Consultation Paper indicating that it planned to introduce implementing regulations in October 2006. The new Regulations would cover discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals in providing goods, facilities and services. The Consultation Paper indicated that the government was proposing only limited exemptions for religious organizations. It said that exemptions should be limited to activities closely linked to religious observance or practices that arise from the basic doctrines of a faith. It would not exempt social services offered by religious organizations, commercial activities, or services offered under government contracts.
Yesterday, CNSNews.com reported that a coalition of religious groups has begun a vigorous campaign against the proposed regulations. The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship suggested some of the ways in which the proposed regulations would impact religious institutions. Schools run by the Church of England might be accused of bias in favor of heterosexual relationships in sex education classes. Christians who run bed-and-breakfasts would be forced to rent rooms to same-sex couples. Religious newspapers would not be able to turn down advertisements from homosexual pressure groups.
