Lesbian community groups and legislation

77 replies

MuthaFunka61 · 13/11/2020 15:05

Hi.

I'm a steering group member for an older lesbian community group and we've applied for funding but have been asked about our inclusivity policy towards trans women. As a relatively new membership led group this is something that hasn't yet been decided but we're aware that we'll need to have this discussion amongst the membership sooner or later but the consensus amongst the steering group is that we are for women born lesbians.

A couple of the members are looking at different sources and I offered to ask here.

So what we need is specific legislation regarding the maintenance of sex specific spaces and whether there is anything which may be of particular reference to lesbians.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

OP posts:

MichelleofzeResistance · 13/11/2020 15:33

I presume you're inclusive of all female homosexual people under the protected characteristics?

Lesbian groups do not have to be inclusive of male people, and the Equality Act presents the exemption that you can quote. You can have to hand the links and signposting to LGBT+ groups that a TW or male person of another chosen identity can find support at if they contact your group for help.

TyroTerf · 13/11/2020 15:16

Equality Act covers you as female-only; you don't technically need lesbian-specific legislation for this. You're allowed to exclude males on the basis that their inclusion would scupper the thing for the female target audience.

Someone will doubtless be along to quote the relevant section of the law very shortly.

I'm not aware of laws relating to sexuality-specific spaces, but as sexual orientation is a protected characteristic there ought to be something. Is there a legal right to have homosexual-only spaces? Cos if there is, you're sorted. Watching with interest!

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