Hotel owners who turn away same-sex couples could end up in court under new anti-discrimination legislation being drafted by the Government.

A consultation document has been published seeking views over the next few weeks on banning discrimination based on sexuality in the provision of services. The new legislation could be in place by October this year.

Under the new laws, hotels and bed and breakfast businesses that turn away same-sex couples because of their sexuality would face prosecution.

Restaurants that stop gay couples holding hands over dinner could also be in trouble.

The move comes after complaints from the gay community that same-sex couples are being turned away from hotels on the ground that they would offend other guests. Discriminating against gay people at work is illegal but the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) now plans to make it unlawful to discriminate in the provision of goods and services.

The rules would make it illegal for businesses to discriminate on the ground of sexual orientation, bringing it into line with laws regarding race, gender or disability.

Golf clubs which reject applications for membership on the grounds that the applicant is gay would also be targeted, as would gay clubs denying entry to heterosexuals.

There are approximately 35,000 gay and lesbian people living in Brighton and Hove, more than in any other city in the UK outside London.

Morham White, secretary of the Brighton and Hove Gay Business Forum, said: "I am not aware of widespread discrimination in this city, although I was once dubious about the reason for being turned away from one particular restaurant.

"The problem with legislation like this will always be how to enforce it, and I suppose elsewhere in the country you might get test cases being sought from the LGBT community but I can't see it happening in Brighton and Hove somehow.

"The catering and leisure industries here expect to serve same-sex couples and they wouldn't be doing themselves any favours if they didn't."

Nick Head, proprietor of The Ambassador Hotel in Old Steine, said: "This piece of legislation is extremely important and long overdue. It will send a great message out to inbound tourism that this is a country where those kind of prejudices are not tolerant.

"You have to remember not everywhere is like Brighton, there are still places in the UK where to be gay or lesbian is to be frowned upon or spat at.

"Young people are not as confident about their sexual orientation as is commonly believed, or as confident as they could, should or indeed ought to be."

Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said: "Too often, gay and lesbian people face discrimination in their everyday lives. I want to make sure no one gets refused a room at a hotel or a table in a restaurant because of their sexuality.

"We intend to end this sort of discrimination and make sure gay men, lesbians and bisexual people can enjoy the same rights and freedoms as heterosexual people."

Tuesday, March 21, 2006