What are the 'Strands' of Equality?
- Age
- Race
- Marital Status
- Sex
- Disability
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Religion and belief
Each area has different legislative foundations and set of core requirements. The Society is striving to take the highest standards from each strand and apply these to all the areas of equality.
It should also be noted that 'equal opportunities' is defined by the Scotland Act 1998 as,
“…the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial grounds, or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin, or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or political opinions.”
This is a slightly wider definition, and has to be considered in interpreting legislation originating in the Scottish Parliament.
