Transmuting Gender Binaries: the Theoretical Challenge

This paper provides a cross-cultural account of gender diversity which explores the territory that is opened up when sex, gender, and sexual orientation, binaries are disrupted or displaced. Whilst many people who identify as trans or intersex see themselves as male or female, others identify in ways which destabilize sex/gender and sexual orientation binaries. The paper provides a typology of ways in which sex/gender diversity can be conceptualized, and draws out the implications for theorizing gender. It discusses the contributions made by the new wave of authors working in the field of transgender studies; authors who draw on and inform the sociology of sex and gender, feminisms, and poststructuralist theory. It based on empirical material from research carried out in India and the UK.Transgender, Intersex, Gender, Diversity, Theory, Poststructuralism, Transsexuality, Sexual Orientation, Sexuality

Measuring Awareness of the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (2003) Among Employers in the Yorkshire and Humber Region

Regulations have been in place since 2003 to prevent discrimination in employment on the grounds of Sexual Orientation. However, legislation is not on its own enough to secure fair practices in the workplace. Importantly, previous research has suggested that employers lack awareness of the regulations and may not have fully adjusted to the requirements and implications of the legislation. As such, the Government, through the DTI, has made funds available for capacity building among employers to support the implementation of the regulations. Using this funding, the Fair Play Partnership commissioned the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University to undertake research which will provide baseline information on the existing state of awareness, understanding, attitudes toward and implementation of both the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief and Sexual Orientation) Regulations. This report presents findings from a survey of employers in relation to the Sexual Orientation Regulations. A separate report provides a similar review of findings in relation to the Religion or Belief Regulations

Measuring Awareness of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations (2003) Among Employers in the Yorkshire and Humber Region

Regulations have been in place since 2003 to prevent discrimination in employment on the grounds of Religion or Belief. However, legislation is not on its own enough to secure fair practices in the workplace. Importantly, previous research has suggested that employers lack awareness of the regulations and may not have fully adjusted to the requirements and implications of the legislation. As such, the Government, through the DTI, has made funds available for capacity building among employers to support the implementation of the regulations. Using this funding, the Fair Play Partnership commissioned the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University to undertake research which will provide baseline information on the existing state of awareness, understanding, attitudes toward and implementation of both the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief and Sexual Orientation) Regulations. This report presents findings from a survey of employers in relation to the Religion or Belief Regulations. A separate report provides a similar review of findings in relation to the Sexual Orientation Regulations

Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Populations: The Role of English Local Government

The role of local government has recently come under debate, in the context of state retrenchment, public sector cuts and the marketisation of welfare. Recent discussions have centred on local authorities as leaders, on enterprise and on democracy, but there has been little discussion of local authorities in relation to equalities issues and minority groups. This article examines the role of local government in relation to one minority grouping, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) people, drawing on empirical material gathered from 2007 to 2010 as part of a large Economic and Social Research Council research project. It describes the importance of equalities legislation and related implementation mechanisms in driving forward the LGB equalities agenda, explores aspects of welfare delivery to LGB people and addresses democratic processes. The article suggests that a collision of different forces is currently taking place: the legislation supports the protection of the LGB communities, but this support is undermined by the recession-related and ideologically driven public sector cuts. In addition, aggregate approaches to local democracy may override the interests of minority groups such as LGB people