Metropolitan Housing Trust has become the first registered social landlord to be named a “diversity champion” by the gay rights group Stonewall.

The London trust joins other “diversity champions” including the ODPM, the Law Society and several councils. David Carrigan, MHT’s diversity development officer, said: “We’ve tried to have a holistic approach to diversity incorporating race, age, gender, disability, religion and sexual orientation.” He said MHT would look at its pension and tenancy policies for same-sex partners.

The Stonewall initiative allows organisations to share good ideas and promote equality for gay, lesbian and bisexual employees, customers and service users.

A Stonewall spokesman said: “Those who have signed up to this demonstrate a commitment to improving things … It means they want to do more.”