The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has published a new consultation aimed at outlawing discrimination by UK pubs, hotels and restaurants against gay and lesbian customers.

Trade and industry secretary Alan Johnson announced last year that regulations would be made in 2006 under the Equality Act to ban discrimination based on sexuality on the provision of goods, facilities and services.

Johnson said: “Too often, gay and lesbian people can face discrimination in their everyday lives. I want to make sure that no one gets refused a room at a hotel or a table in a restaurant because of their sexuality.

We intend to end this discrimination and ensure that gay men, lesbians and bisexual people enjoy the same rights and freedoms as heterosexual people.”

The Equality Act received Royal Assent on 16 February this year. The consultation period will close on 5 June. Details: www.dti.gov.uk