GOOD TO BE GAY - AT LAST!

Government plans intended to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation in Northern Ireland have met with approval from gay and lesbian groups.

Officially, anti-discrimination legislation is already in place in Northern Ireland, but loopholes in the goods and services laws leave enough room for manoeuvre, which has meant there have been cases of gays or lesbians being turned away from hotels or even being denied house tenancies.

Following the eight-week goods and services consultation, and by the end of this year, it will be illegal, for example, for gay or lesbian people to be refused a drink in a bar or turned away from a coffee shop for holding hands. NI Secretary Peter Hain said everybody must enjoy "the same access to goods, facilities, services and education".

Mr Hain added that fresh financial backing was also planned for organisations who support the gay community.
"The government's vision is for a fair society founded on equal opportunities for all, respect for the dignity and worth of each person and mutual respect between communities"