UK Pride events will feature legal advice stalls
The Citizens Advice service will have stalls at Prides in London, Cardiff, Brighton and Manchester this year.
They will be focusing on the Sexual Orientation Regulations, which now make it illegal to refuse goods and services on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation.
There will also be awareness-raising information on how civil partnerships can affect most benefits and on the regulations on discrimination and equality in employment law.
Citizen’s Advice especially want to help people who have been on the receiving end of unfair treatment or discrimination.
The service’s National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Group (NLGBG) will be heading up the teams at each stall.
This year the Citizens Advice service was one of only four voluntary organisations to appear in 2007 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index of the top 100 gay-friendly employers, coming 42nd, up from 62nd in 2006.
The ‘village’ Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Salford, an advice service run by the LGBT community, was also recently involved in a radio ad campaign that highlighted discrimination against gay and lesbian workers in the workplace.
Each stall at Pride will have up to date information on relevant laws, and can direct clients to seven specialist project units across England and Wales which have been set up to deal with case work and to represent clients in discrimination and employment tribunals and court.
As part of this commitment to equality and diversity, the team will be promoting how local bureaux want more members of the LGBT community to volunteer. The volunteer hotline is 08451 264 264.
David Harker, chief executive of Citizens Advice said:
“Being part of Pride celebrates our diversity within the Citizens Advice service.
“We want to send the vital message to the LGBT community, their friends and families that we really are here for everyone.
“We hope lots of people will stop by our stalls to find out more about our services and volunteering opportunities.”
Citizens Advice will have stalls at: London Pride on 30 June; Brighton Summer Pride 28 July – 5 August; Manchester Pride 17 – 27 August and Cardiff Mardi Gras in September.
