Controversial new legislation came into force yesterday providing protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation as well as on the grounds of religion or belief.

Apparently rejecting calls to express their opposition just 3 out of the 26 unelected bishops that sit in the House of Lords voted last night over the government's Sexual Orientation Regulations.

Several hundred Christians gathered outside Parliament carrying banners with slogans like: "Gay Aim = Abolish the Family" - despite warnings from other evangelicals that they were reinforcing the idea that all Christians are homophobic. Other campaigners have been accused of scare tactics.

Anglicans opposed to the Government's new Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which would prevent discrimination against gay and lesbian people, are urging the 26 unelected bishops who sit in the House of Lords to vote against the measures on Wednesday.