LONDON (Reuters):

British faith groups joined forces yesterday to try to stop sweeping gay rights laws they say will force them to act against their religious beliefs.

They will deliver a petition to Queen Elizabeth and stage a torch-lit protest outside Parliament as the upper house, the House of Lords, discusses the laws.

The legislation, a cornerstone of Britain's efforts to promote equal rights, would ban discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of sexuality in a similar way to laws on sex and race discrimination.

It would mean that hotels could be prosecuted for refusing to provide rooms for gay couples and parishes obliged to rent out halls for gay wedding receptions. Equally, gay bars would not be able to ban straight couples.

Christian opponents argue the legislation is a major threat to their freedom of conscience and that they should not be penalised for acting according to their beliefs.

But gay rights campaigners say the proposals would simply extend existing anti-discrimination laws to homosexuals.

"This is a very sensible and moderate proposal which seeks to protect people from unfair and unequal treatment," Angela Eagle, a legislator from the ruling Labour Party told BBC radio.