The recent Big Brother and the manifestation of racism, I'm afraid' is a major embarrassment. No not to Channel Four who've done very well out of it. No not the Government who, no doubt, will seek further laws and control.

No it's an embarrassment to the British people who will now realise that we do not live in a tolerant society. Our 'tolerance' is enforced by law and as such any racism, anti LGB groups (lesbian, Gay and Bi-sexual - this is new Government speak) etc which actually does exist is supressed, not by desire as it is in a true tolerant society, but by threat of fine, loss of job and status or imprisonment.

These laws have created a veneer of tolerance. It is so easily scraped away.

Why do we have to start positive discrimination? The new laws coming out this year insist that regardless of your religeous view, moral view, upbringing or personal tast you cannot discriminate because of sexual orientation. That's not a tolerant society, that's a police state in it's embryonic stages. If we are properley governed, made to think and educated correctly then we would not need such laws. The government failed in that so it seeks to bring it about with potential threat and punishment! That's New Labour for you.

You can be pretty sure that no large organisation will ever be prosecuted regardless but some small ones will go to the wall. Older people, Christians, Muslims (well perhaps not) and Jews will also feel the Police pinch on their collars.

For a Muslim to even have discussions with an open gay couple will break his belief let alone anything else. But these are the obvious ones. It's the ordinary guy the police will go for - easy pickings. Like the couple arrested for wanting hand out leaflets against Gay marriages (sorry legal arrangements) - easy (although as usual thrown out by people with some sense - or fear of upsetting the other 98% of the population)

In the late 70s and 80s the quick way to make a buck or get your way as an Asian or black guy was to accuse someone with the line "It's because I'm black/asian/indian/jew etc etc". It took years for that to stop whilst many people suffered because they were accused in many cases wrongly and their lives/businesses suffered. This will happen with Gays and there's simply no need for it.

To refuse products and services to people who are gay is illegal NOW. There are many acts which can be used already on the statute books. Such action is based on bigotry, sexual discrimination and is illegal. The Government know that it can be defended and they do not want it tested in the courts. This law is simply unbeatable and they know it.

Under current legislation it is up to the authorities to prove that you are refusing on such grounds. Now under the new act and defence will be required to prove that they wern't! What happened to not guilty before verdict?

Lets take an example. If two guys came to me and wanted me to phtograph their wedding and I was busy (in reality), they could suspect that I was denying them because of my views on their sexuality with me even saying so! That suspicion is enough for th Police to investigate. I would then have to prove to the Police that there was no such reason and how do I do that?

By the way I do same sex couples as I'm in business and a shoots a shoot! But I have had to turn business away in the past for personal reasons. Have I now got to explain to every client why I cannot accept their commission?

Now think about caterers, venue owners, chaffeurs, vicars, priests, taxi drivers indeed any small business which simply does not want the business for whatever reason. Anarchy will follow this law.