Section 12: Sexual orientation

Equality Act 2010 (2010 c. 15)

(1) Sexual orientation means a person's sexual orientation towards—

(a) persons of the same sex,

(b) persons of the opposite sex, or

(2) In relation to the protected characteristic of sexual orientation—

(a) a reference to a person who has a particular protected characteristic is a reference to a person who is of a particular sexual orientation;

(b) a reference to persons who share a protected characteristic is a reference to persons who are of the same sexual orientation.

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk as captured on 2026-07-13. Statute is amended over time — check the source below for the version in force. This is a reference, not legal advice.

View s.12 on legislation.gov.uk

s.11 Sex s.13 Direct discrimination

Source: legislation.gov.uk, Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.