Intersecting inequalities

Abstract

Britain has recently undergone significant change in relation to its equality laws and institutions. This paper documents these changes and evaluates the extent to which the reforms facilitate the recognition of 'intersectionality'. It concludes that the creation of a single equality body and the move to streamline legislation into one bill may do more to highlight conflicts between different equality categories than to address cumulative and combined inequalities. However, it also suggests that the introduction of a multiple discrimination provision within the anti-discrimination framework, coupled with requirements upon public authorities to take positive steps to promote equality, may together represent a productive twin-track approach to recognizing intersectionality. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.