14/05/2013

Isle Of Man Couple Launch Equality Petition

A couple from the Isle of Man have called for a change in the law after they were refused the lease on a rental accommodation, because they are lesbians.

The couple, Kira Izzard and Laura Cull, from Douglas, have launched a petition calling for the introduction of the UK's Equality Act 2010 after discovering there is currently no legislation to protect them from discrimination.

According to the BBC, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Allan Bell said: "I am extremely disappointed that this type of ugly, outdated prejudice survives after all the work that has been done over the past 20 years or so to make the island a more tolerant place.

"I do believe that our society today is generally much more tolerant than it used to be. But this incident shows that there are still isolated pockets of bigotry that can only be tackled through legislation.

"An Equality Bill, based on the UK Equality Act 2010, is already in the drafting process and will deal with discrimination of this kind. I have asked that preparation of this legislation be accelerated."

(MH/CD)


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