Sweeping changes to end discrimination and improve the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in Northern Ireland were urged today.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) said laws, policies and practices in Northern Ireland "discriminate extensively" against lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
A report, produced with the help of four academics from Queens University, said discrimination "pervades most areas" and reached into the criminal law, employment, education, health care, housing, immigration and the taxation and social security systems, it said.
"Such discrimination is embedded in the nature and effect of laws regarding the family and partnerships, which deny carers and dependants rights in, for example, succession and inheritance," it added.
But the extent of discrimination tended to be hidden because of an absence of research and a fear of "outing" and further discrimination, said the Commission.
It said while public authorities were required to promote equality of opportunity for such sections of society, many showed "little evidence of policies or practices that affect lesbian, gay and bisexual people".
In a series of recommendations, the NIHRC called on the Assembly to repeal or amend any law that discriminated against gays, lesbians and bisexuals.
It said a law should be enacted that recognises same-sex partnerships through registration.
The report recommended the repeal of the law on sexual offences relating to consensual sexual activity between gay, lesbian and bisexual couples.
PA