The race relations act 1976 was established by the parliament of the united kingdom to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race the scope of the legislation included discrimination on the grounds of race colour nationality ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment the provision of goods and services education and public functions. Race relations act 1976 1976 chapter 74 an act to make fresh provision with respect to discrimination on racial grounds and relations between people of different racial groups and to make in the. So in 1968 a new race relations act law made it illegal for someone to be refused housing a job or access to services like a mortgage because of their ethnic background then in 1976 the. The race relations act came into being in 1976 when it was recognised that the existing legislation was weak and had little beneficial effect on the lives of racial minority groups the underpinning values of the new regulations were the elimination of racial discrimination the promotion of equality of opportunity and the promotion of harmonious relations between peoples of different ethnic and racial groups. The race relations act 1976 was established by the uk parliament to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race first gay lesbian trades union congress 1977 the first gay lesbian trades union congress tuc conference took place to discuss workplace rights for gays and lesbians