Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equality in a Modernizing Public Sector 1997–2010: Opportunities and Threats

The public sector has traditionally been in the forefront of equality employment policy and practice and an employer of choice for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people. The introduction of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations outlawing discrimination in employment on grounds of sexual orientation in 2003 has undoubtedly offered a step forward for LGB people in British workplaces. Yet the public sector has been subjected to huge changes as a result of the ‘modernization agenda’ pursued by the Labour government between 1997 and 2010. It has been argued that the pace and direction of change has not only jeopardized but reversed progress made on equal opportunities in the public sector. This article considers LGB employee and trade union representatives' views on the inclusion of sexual orientation in public sector equality policy and practice. It draws on European Social Fund-sponsored research in nine ‘good practice’ public sector organisations between 1994 and 1997.