The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to protect men and women from discrimination on the grounds of gender. The Act is mainly in relation to employment, training, education, harassment, the provision of goods and services and in the disposal of premises. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 amended parts of this Act to apply to transgender people. Other amendments have been introduced by the Sex Discrimination Act 1986, the Employment Act 1989, the Equality Act 2006 and other legislation, such as rulings by the European Court of Justice.

The Act currently does not apply in Northern Ireland, however the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 does.

The Equal Opportunities Commission

The Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 established the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) whose main duties were to work towards the elimination of discrimination, to promote equality of opportunity between sexes and to keep under review the workings of the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act 1970. The EOC helped large numbers of individuals bring cases to Employment Tribunals and to the courts. The EOC is now subsumed into the Commission for Equality and Human Rights. Google the act to find more information.

Powers

The EOC may:

• Conduct formal investigations and issue reports.
• Issue a non-discriminatory notice in any case of contravention of the Acts.
• Bring proceedings in respect of certain provisions and seek a court injunction to restrain the repetition of an unlawful act
• Commence a preliminary action before an industrial tribunal on behalf of an individual.
• Give practical guidance and advice to persons who appear to have a complaint under the Acts.

External links

• The Act in full, with later amendments
• The Equal Opportunities Commission now subsumed into the Commission for Equality and Human Rights
• Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976

See also

• Hate crimes