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The House of Lords is to debate a controversial set of regulations preventing homophobic discrimination in the workplace.

Introduced in 2003, the Northern Ireland sexual orientation discrimination regulations cover sexual harassment, discrimination and victimisation in employment and vocational training locations.

Lord Morrow, chairman of the Democratic Unionist Party, is seeking an annulment of the regulations, which are expected to be adopted throughout the UK later this year.

He will be supported by Jews, Christians and Muslims in a torch-lit rally outside the Palace of Westminster this evening, which one religious group said would feature "hundreds" of protesters.

"Christians have no desire to discriminate unjustly on the grounds of sexual orientation, but they cannot and must not be forced to actively condone and promote sexual practices which the Bible teaches are wrong. It is a fundamental matter of freedom of conscience," Thomas Cordrey, public policy analyst of the Lawyers' Christian Association, said.

Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber described those opposing the regulations as "religious bigots" and called on the government to close a loophole which could see employers' compliance requirement waived because of their religious views.

"No-one should be denied a room in a hotel or the right to adopt a child simply because of their sexual orientation. But this is exactly what some religious leaders believe should happen and they are pressurising the government to continue to allow lesbians and gay men to be treated as second class citizens," Mr Barber said.

"The government must stand firm against the religious bigots who want to continue discriminating against individuals solely because they are gay," he added.

Liberal Democrat women and equality spokesperson Lorely Burt attacked the "misleading reports" which suggested that actively pro-homosexual practices would be enforced under the UK-wide regulations.

"The regulations… should be welcomed because they give people of all sexual orientation the same right not to be discriminated against, as already exists in respect of religion, race and gender," she said.