... bisexuals serving in the armed forces, were successful in the European Court of Human Rights in challenging the ban of lesbians and gay men in the forces. The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 are a result of the UK's implementation of the 2000 EU Employment Framework Directive requiring member states of the European Union to ban this type of discrimination. In June 2003, Parliament agreed on the new Regulations and Gerry Sutcliffe, DTI Employment Relations Minister stated that: "The new Regulations represent a significant addition to our domestic equality legislation and they will make a practical difference to the lives of millions of people". We believe this new legislation to be a great turning point, being the first ever anti- discrimination legislation specifically banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation- just one of the fundamental victories for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals that have been won on European level. Barrister ...

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