U.K. Public Servants: Come Out

Teachers, nurses, and police officers in the U.K. may be asked to disclose their sexual orientation, gender identity, and other personal details as part of an "equality drive" meant to promote diversity among public servants and the people they serve.

The Daily Mail reports on the plan from Liberal Democrat equalities minister Lynne Featherstone to comply with the Equality Act. Public sector organizations will be asked to consider sending "diversity monitoring forms" to staff members as part of the compliance procedures.

"From April, public bodies will be subject to the Equality Act - passed by Labour but taken up enthusiastically by the Coalition - which will force them to consider the impact of everything they do on the diversity of the people they serve or employ," reports the Mail.

The proposed questionnaires from Featherstone would ask employees about their sexuality, whether they have had gender reassignment surgery, and their race and religion, the Mail reports.

Critics charged the plan would result in excess bureaucracy.