Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
A person’s protected characteristics in terms of the Equality Act 2010 seems to be the theme of the Blog today.
Sexual orientation is a protected characteristic in terms of Sections 4 and 12 of the Act. Most people these days are familiar with the following definitions in terms of an individual’s sexuality: e.g. heterosexual, homosexual (gay/lesbian) and bisexual.
What about a person who declares themselves to be pansexual?
According to Stonewall, the group which campaigns on behalf of the LGBTI community, this term refers to a person ‘whose romantic and/or sexual attraction towards others is not limited by sex or gender.’ Stonewall also makes the point that bisexual individuals can declare themselves to be pansexual.
An interesting story appeared in today’s British media about pansexuality. Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and possible contender for the leadership of that Party, has declared herself to be pansexual. She is the first Member of the Westminster Parliament to define her sexual orientation in this way. Previously, she would have declared herself as heterosexual.
Andrew Adonis, Labour member of the House of Lords and former UK Government minister tweeted his reaction to the story:
The point that Adonis was trying to make is that it shouldn’t have been a story. As a society, the UK has supposedly become more tolerant and progressive towards people with different sexual orientations.
Ms Moran admitted herself that the decision to be open about her sexual orientation had caused friends and colleagues to worry that this might harm her career – and her aspiration to be the next or future leader of the Liberal Democrats. So much for a more tolerant and progressive society …
Explaining her reason for going public about her sexual orientation, Ms Moran stated that:
“… I feel now is the time to talk about it, because as an MP I spend a lot of my time defending our community [LGBTI] and talking about our community. I want people to know I am part of our community as well.”
A link to the story in Pink News can be found below:
You can also find below a link to the Sky News website where an individual discusses what pansexuality means to them:
https://news.sky.com/story/not-restricted-by-gender-or-sex-what-pansexuality-means-to-me-11900619
Copyright Seán J Crossan, 3 January 2020
Seán Crossan's Scots Law 