Regulations were introduced for discrimination protections on sexual orientation in employment on 1 December 2003, following the adoption of an EC Directive in 2000, providing for the prohibition of discrimination in employment on the grounds of sexual orientation. The "Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999" created certain legal protections for transgender people for the first time in British history. The Regulations banned discrimination against individuals undergoing "gender reassignment" in employment and vocational training. Similar legislation, the "Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999", was passed in Northern Ireland. The "Sex Discrimination (Amendment of Legislation) Regulations 2008" extended these protections to cover discrimination in goods, facilities and services