Extend sexual orientation law to all, demands union

Public services union UNISON has called for legislation preventing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity to include religious organisations, and for discrimination in goods and services to be outlawed.

The union was recently nominated as the "most gay-friendly organisation" in the annual Pink Paper awards, alongside Age Concern, the Metropolitan Police, Amnesty International and the Quakers.

UNISON's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality officer, Carola Towle, said the union was very proud to have been nominated. "The traditional image of trade unionists may not be at the cutting edge of LGBT style and sensibility, but LGBT workers have always been active in their trade unions, organising for workplaces where everyone gets a fair deal and can work in dignity and without fear," she added.

* The conciliation service ACAS has developed a free online learning tool covering sexual orientation and gender reassignment issues.

The tool is the first in a series of e-learning resources that will cover various areas of equality and diversity, with the aim of helping employers and employees to assess their organisation's position and to recognise and address relevant issues.

Stephen Williams, head of ACAS's Equality and Diversity Unit, explained that these resources are necessary because "employers are not trained to be aware of the types of issues that can make people feel undervalued and ineffective".

For more information about the sexual orientation and gender reassignment tool, which is provided alongside a free ACAS consultation aimed at promoting good practice, visit www.acas.org.uk/elearning