Equalities policy and data

'It is our diversity that helps us serve you better.'

Introduction

Information on our work with equalities communities, organisations and groups can be found here.  This is a core element of our team’s work.

Our vision is:

To eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, advance equality of opportunity between people from different groups and foster good relations between people from different groups.

This is the essence of the duty that all public bodies must meet and it is our aim to actively deliver this duty through all of our services, functions and decision-making processes and through the power we have to influence partners.

This applies to the services we provide and to our role as an employer.

Equality of opportunity is not about treating everyone the same. It is about treating everyone according to their needs; it is about treating people fairly. Diversity is about recognising that people are different and have differing needs.

In these pages you will find out what we are doing to achieve our vision.

Equalities and diversity events

View all equalities and diversity events on Bristol events Online.

International Women's Day - 8 March 2013

Around the world, International Women’s Day marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women.  A series of events marking International Women’s Day are taking place in Bristol including creative fun, music, comedy, drama, tours and talks, films, conferences, radio shows, sports activities, a quiz and a literature festival.

These events are being held by voluntary and community groups across Bristol and offer a variety of events and activities for women to participate in.  Full details can be found in the programme (pdf, 1.3 MB) (opens new window).

February is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month

Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month (pdf, 1.1 MB) (opens new window) takes place every year in February.  Its aim is to celebrate the lives and achievements of the LGBT community. The month focuses on remembrance, celebration, debate and discussion around LGBT equality.

Please refer to external links for further details/programme.

What's new

Public sector organisations are working in partnership to promote their employment opportunities to lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. Fifteen LGB members of staff working in health, legal, education and other sectors are profiled in Out in the Workplace (pdf, 0.6 MB) (opens new window).

Legislation

The Equality Act 2010

The main provisions of the Equality Act 2010 came into force in October 2010.

It replaces all existing equality legislation and aims to harmonise the law relating to different equality groups, or "protected characteristics".  These are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Sex
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Sexual Orientation
• Religion and Belief.  

Under the Public Sector Equality Duty element of the Equality Act 2010 we are required to give due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited under the Act;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not share it;
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not share it.

More information on the Equalities Act can be found on the Home Office website.

Equalities and Community Cohesion Team

The Equalities and Community Cohesion Team (ECCT) advises on: equalities legislation, equalities monitoring, equality impact assessments and creating accessible environments.  The team undertakes projects, conducts research and works in partnership with others to promote equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and harassment.