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Sexual orientation discrimination

Equality legislation protects individuals from being discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. On this page you can find articles, books and online resources providing information, legislation and guidance.
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Latest Insights

Read our latest features and articles on sexual orientation inclusivity published in ICAEW's Insights hub.
LGBTQ+ History Month: be a better workplace ally
  • Article
  • 24 Feb 2023
Allyship and being sensitive to the support that colleagues with different experiences may need is key to an inclusive organisation.
LGBTQ+ History Month: inclusion and diversity across the biggest firms
  • Article
  • 21 Feb 2023
As we embrace LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) History Month, we take a look at how accountancy firms in the UK are fostering greater inclusion and visibility.
LGBTQ History Month how accountants can encourage inclusion
  • Article
  • 17 Feb 2023
As part of LGBTQ+ month, ICAEW highlights how chartered accountants have a role to play in helping to encourage an inclusive profession through our award-winning campaign.
ICAEW Students young people LGBT diversity inclusion
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
  • Article
  • 02 Feb 2023
Meet three ACA students who are championing LGBTQ+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion in the profession.
LGBT+ History Month: Izzi Lerwill shares their story
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2021
Izzi Lerwill, transgender and non-binary chartered accountant at Grant Thornton UK, shares their story for LGBT+ history month.
10 tips for workplace inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people
  • Article
  • 12 Feb 2021
Izzi Lerwill, transgender and non-binary chartered accountant at Grant Thornton UK, shares 10 practical tips for making the workplace more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people.
ICAEW marks LGBT+ History Month
  • Article
  • 29 Jan 2021
1 February 2021: Recognising LGBT+ rights and empowering everyone to have a place in society is not only the right thing to do on a human level but also from a business perspective, writes ICAEW CEO Michael Izza.
LGBT+ History month: Michael Izza addresses workplace inclusivity
  • Article
  • 17 Feb 2020
February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK – a month of celebration and of information, promoting equality and diversity for everyone’s benefit – and I’d like to encourage members to get involved if you have not already.

eBooks

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides full text access to a selection of key business and reference eBooks from leading publishers. eBooks are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users. If you are unable to access an eBook, please see our Help and support advice or contact library@icaew.com.

Exclusive Discrimination
  • eBook chapter
  • 2016
  • Ewan McIntyre
  • Pearson
These ten sections of the chapter on employment cover discrimination - the Equality Act 2010 replaced all previous discrimination legislation. Discrimination on the basis of: age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex; and sexual orientation is outlawed. In addition discrimination against people with criminal records, part-time workers, fixed-term workers and agency workers is also covered.
Terms of use

You are permitted to access, download, copy, or print out content from eBooks for your own research or study only, subject to the terms of use set by our suppliers and any restrictions imposed by individual publishers. Please see individual supplier pages for full terms of use.

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Business press

The ICAEW Library & Information Service provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.
Exclusive Supporting LGBTQIA staff in the Workplace
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2023
  • David T.Colgren
Voluntary self-identification programs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) staff can advance a company's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, writes David T.Colgren.
Exclusive Coming out at work
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2022
  • Roy Maurer
True equality for LGBTQ employees is an ongoing struggle, but employers can help, says Roy Maurer. The article features an interview with Jeff Nally, who describes his positive experiences in coming out as gay in his position as HR Director at a manufacturing company based in Midwest America. However research shows coming out can be especially challenging for junior employees, transgender workers and women.
Exclusive How employers can be allies
  • Article
  • 01 Dec 2022
Advice for companies on how to implement inclusive benefits and policies for LGBTQ employees. Tips include having employee resource groups for LGBTQ employees, so that a supportive community of other LGBTQ colleagues is available. These groups should be appropriately funded and treated as organizational priorities.
Exclusive Make sure you don't discriminate on sexual orientation grounds
  • Article
  • 29 Apr 2011
  • Emille Bennets
The article provides an answer to a question on laws in Great Britain related to the discrimination of customers and employees in the hospitality industry based on their sexual orientation.
Exclusive Pride and prejudice
  • Article
  • 16 Aug 2010
  • Luke Mcleaod-Roberts
The article reports on the homophobic abuse or discrimination against gay, lesbian and bi-sexual lawyers in the workplace in Great Britain. It mentions that despite the considerable efforts of the government to protect third sex lawyers, some still encounter discrimination.
Exclusive Equality and diversity in the public services
  • Article
  • 01 Jul 2009
  • Fiona Colgan, Tessa Wright, Chris Creegan, Aidan McKearney
This article focuses on the legislation, introduced in 2003, making it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation . It explores the factors encouraging ‘good practice’ in sexual orientation equality work. It considers progress within the public services that have ‘pioneered’ sexual orientation equalities work. A challenge for HR practitioners is getting organisational commitment to sexual orientation work, which is still perceived within organisations as a ‘sensitive’ area.
Exclusive Ruling on homophobic banter opens up a 'Pandora's attic'
  • Article
  • 29 Jan 2009
  • Makbool Javaid
The article discusses the court case English v. Thomas Sanderson Ltd. ruled by the British Court of Appeal in 2008. The court has held, by a majority, that homophobic banter amounts to unlawful harassment even when the victim's tormentors know he is not gay.

External resources - Acas guidance

Advice, guidance and practical resources on a wide variety of recruitment topics for both employers and employees, produced by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, Acas. Acas is the employment relations service for England, Scotland and Wales offering practical, independent and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives.
Discrimination and the law
  • Website
Acas guidance on what discrimination is, direct and indirect discrimination, what an employer can do to prevent discrimination and what to do if someone has discriminated against you.
Equality diversity and inclusion policy template
  • Website
Free equality, diversity and inclusion policy template an employer can adapt for their organisation.
Using protected characteristics to make decisions
  • Website
Acas guidance on circumstances when an employer may legally made a decision based on a 'protected characteristic.'
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

External resources - Glossaries, guidance and advice

Glossary of terms
  • Website
  • Stonewall
Glossary of gender identity terms.
Sex discrimination
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
CIPD factsheets, Q&As and case law on sexual discrimination. Registration required to access content.
Sexual orientation discrimination
  • Website
  • Equality and Human Rights Commission
Guidance from the EHRC on sexual orientation discrimination including different types of discrimination and circumstances when being treated differently due to sexual orientation is lawful
Sexual orientation discrimination
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Guidance on addressing sexual discrimination in the workplace from the CIPD. Includes factsheets, Q&As and case law. This guidance also covers some aspects of marriage and civil partnership discrimination. Registration required to access content.
Sexual orientation, gender identity, gender reassignment and employment
  • Website
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
CIPD factsheet on sexual orientation discrimination and gender reassignment discrimination
ShinePwC
  • Website
  • PwC
Shine is an inclusive PwC business network for LGBTQ+ people, allies and supporters.
Stonewall
  • Website
  • Stonewall Equality
Founded in 1989, Stonewall aims to let all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, here and abroad, know they're not alone. The organisation works to support individuals in making a difference for LGBT people at work, home and in their communities.
Terms of use

ICAEW accepts no responsibility for the content on any site to which a hypertext link from this site exists. The links are provided 'as is' with no warranty, express or implied, for the information provided within them. Please see the full copyright and disclaimer notice.

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