Equality and Human Rights Commission

It is generally unlawful for charities to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation. However, if a charity has been established to provide benefits to people of a particular sexual orientation, and its rules (called a ‘charitable instrument’) make this clear, they can legally restrict their services in this way.

Example

A charity is established to promote equal rights for lesbian, gay men and bisexual people. It is lawful to restrict the activities of the charity in this way.

Example

A charity is established to support lesbians, gay men and bisexual people who experience hate crime. It is lawful to restrict the activities of the charity in this way.