A civil liberties group is seeking legal advice from a British QC on whether amendments to add sexual orientation and age to the Human Rights Act would give less protection than Government's proposed equality bill.The Centre for Justice, which is holding a public forum on equality and sexual orientation next month, claimed it was “bizarre” that Families Minister Glenn Blakeney was suggesting an Equality Act, similar to one in the UK.Lawyer Venous Memari, the Centre's managing director, questioned why such legislation was needed when Government had spent years consulting on changing the Human Rights Act.She told The Royal Gazette that drafting a new law to introduce protection on the grounds of sexual orientation and age, rather than making alterations to an existing Act, did not make sense.“We are seeking the opinion of Queen's Counsel to make sure that an amendment to the Human Rights Act to add sexual orientation and age to the grounds of discrimination does not somehow confer lesser rights than a similar act to the UK Equality Act,” Ms Memari said.“What is most bizarre is that the Department of Human Affairs engaged two consultants to prepare a report on the Human Rights Act and the [Human Rights] Commission, resulting in the Hucker/Hunt Report.“Two recommendations made in that report, urging Government to modernise the Act by adding age and sexual orientation to the grounds of discrimination, resulted in a consultation process.”Earlier this month, MPs debated a take note motion from Mr Blakeney on the prospect of an Equality Act.The Minister asked the House to discuss the merits of legislation based on a British law to protect citizens from “age discrimination and discrimination based on one's sexual orientation, particularly in circumstances relating to employment, accommodation and the procurement of goods and services”.Ms Memari said: “We have had years and years of consultation, so this latest so-called take note motion to gauge readiness is very curious to say the least.”She alleged the proposed Equality Bill was a “red herring” and a way for Government to continue “dragging its feet” on the sexual orientation issue.“In a true modern democracy, everyone has the right to equality and dignity. The role of government in a civilised society is to protect the rights of minorities and vulnerable. Government either believes in equal rights and fairness or it doesn't.”The Centre's forum on equality, which was planned before Mr Blakeney tabled his motion and is being hosted with Amnesty International Bermuda, Bermuda International Film Festival, the Human Rights Commission, the Vision Ministry and Two Words and a Comma, is at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on Thursday, August 23, at 6.30pm.A Bahamian documentary, 'Children of God', will be screened, followed by a panel discussion featuring the film's director, Kareem Mortimer.Ms Memari said: “[The film] depicts the struggles and triumphs of a society's prejudices and battles with sexual orientation and everyone's right to equality, respect and dignity.“It is our collective hope that the film will serve as a platform for advancing our social dialogue around equality in Bermuda, particularly with respect to sexual orientation.”Mr Blakeney was off Island yesterday. The Ministry of Youth, Families and Sport released the following statement on his behalf: “The Centre of Justice is entitled to its opinion. We have no comment on that opinion. The Hucker/Hunter Report is not a public document at this time.”Useful website: www.justice.bm.