Public rejects bias against homosexuals

A TUC poll has revealed strong public support for the equal treatment of lesbian and gay workers. Nearly three-quarters of people questioned in research for a recent TUC report say it is wrong for employers to sack or treat lesbian and gay workers any differently from their straight employees.

The TUC is using the findings to back up its campaign, launched last year, to secure anti-discrimination legislation for lesbians and gays. The report, Straight up! why the law should protect lesbian gay workers, also makes the case for extending pension and other job-related benefits to the long-term partners of gay employees.

As part of the research, a weighted sample of 964 people was asked to agree or disagree with three statements relating to the treatment of gay people at work. Nearly three-quarters (74%) agreed that employers should not be allowed to sack someone simply because they are gay.

An even larger proportion (77%) said bosses shouldn't treat a lesbian or a gay man any less favourably than a heterosexual employee. And 71% felt employers should treat the long-term partners of lesbian or gay workers in the same way as the partners of other staff members when it comes to pension rights or staff discounts.

TUC general secretary John Monks said: "This is a simple matter of social justice and human rights." He added: "Our poll shows the quiet majority backs these modest rights, it is only a noisy minority which is standing in the way of progress."