Employment Tribunal Rules Discriminating Against Gays is OK if You're Religious
Friday 11th July 2008
Gay rights groups are aghast after an employment tribunal ruled that Lillian Ladele, a fundamentalist Christian registrar, was “bullied” after she refused to perform civil partnerships for same-sex couples, claiming it was against the will of God.
Islington Council, who employs the registrar, is considering an appeal. The ruling could set a dangerous precedent in case law, making it easier for religious people to deny the services they were hired to perform to the LGBT community.
The tribunal itself made the ruling, admitting it may have a wide ranging impact even though it agreed that it is "wrong for one set of rights to trump another." They ruled that since the council was still able to provide civil partnerships for same-sex couples without Ladele’s involvement, requiring her to perform services that were against her convictions was an unlawful act of discrimination.
Ladele said: "I am delighted at this decision. It is a victory for religious liberty, not just for myself but for others in a similar position to mine. Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully and harass people over their religious beliefs."
Ladele’s case was funded by the Christian Institute, an evangelical Christian group who has been very active in opposing gay rights initiatives since its founding in 1990. The group is well known for providing support for court cases such as this one. It has supported homophobic individuals like Ake Green, a pastor in Sweden who was charged with inciting hatred when he compared homosexuality with paedophilia.
Christian Institute head Mike Judge said: "This important ruling confirms that gay rights should not be treated as trumping religious rights. If we really believe in equality before the law, that means respecting people who have sincerely held religious beliefs on sexual ethics. The witch hunt against those who disagree with homosexual practice has to stop."
Gay rights groups, however, believe that the ruling has merely legitimized homophobic actions. Outrage! founder Peter Tatchell called the ruling "a dangerous subversion of the democratic principle that everyone should have equal rights and responsibilities under the law... The tribunal has ruled that people of faith are above the law. "
He added: "Public servants like registrars have a duty to serve all members of the public without fear or favour. Once society lets some people opt out of upholding the law, where will it end?”
“We could soon find religious police officers, solicitors, fire fighters and doctors refusing to serve members of the public who they find morally objectionable – and being allowed to do so by the law.”
Pinke wants to know what you think. Email us your comments here and you might appear in a future Pinke.biz article.
Related Articles:
London Civil Servant Sues for Right to Discriminate Against Gays
Public Bodies Must Actively Promote Gay Equality Under New Legislation
New Survey Shows Discrimination Common Across Europe
Virginia Gay Couple Marries, One Man's Great Skin Tricks State Into Allowing it For Weeks
Do you want to write for Pinke? We're looking for writers all over the world to write about the gay issues that matter all over the globe. We're particularly looking for travel writers and writers in Asia/Africa/the Middle East, but we'll consider anyone with great writing skills and an interest in the subject. Email Pinke editor Robert Knox for more information.
Islington Council, who employs the registrar, is considering an appeal. The ruling could set a dangerous precedent in case law, making it easier for religious people to deny the services they were hired to perform to the LGBT community.
The tribunal itself made the ruling, admitting it may have a wide ranging impact even though it agreed that it is "wrong for one set of rights to trump another." They ruled that since the council was still able to provide civil partnerships for same-sex couples without Ladele’s involvement, requiring her to perform services that were against her convictions was an unlawful act of discrimination.
Ladele said: "I am delighted at this decision. It is a victory for religious liberty, not just for myself but for others in a similar position to mine. Gay rights should not be used as an excuse to bully and harass people over their religious beliefs."
Ladele’s case was funded by the Christian Institute, an evangelical Christian group who has been very active in opposing gay rights initiatives since its founding in 1990. The group is well known for providing support for court cases such as this one. It has supported homophobic individuals like Ake Green, a pastor in Sweden who was charged with inciting hatred when he compared homosexuality with paedophilia.
Christian Institute head Mike Judge said: "This important ruling confirms that gay rights should not be treated as trumping religious rights. If we really believe in equality before the law, that means respecting people who have sincerely held religious beliefs on sexual ethics. The witch hunt against those who disagree with homosexual practice has to stop."
Gay rights groups, however, believe that the ruling has merely legitimized homophobic actions. Outrage! founder Peter Tatchell called the ruling "a dangerous subversion of the democratic principle that everyone should have equal rights and responsibilities under the law... The tribunal has ruled that people of faith are above the law. "
He added: "Public servants like registrars have a duty to serve all members of the public without fear or favour. Once society lets some people opt out of upholding the law, where will it end?”
“We could soon find religious police officers, solicitors, fire fighters and doctors refusing to serve members of the public who they find morally objectionable – and being allowed to do so by the law.”
Pinke wants to know what you think. Email us your comments here and you might appear in a future Pinke.biz article.
Related Articles:
London Civil Servant Sues for Right to Discriminate Against Gays
Public Bodies Must Actively Promote Gay Equality Under New Legislation
New Survey Shows Discrimination Common Across Europe
Virginia Gay Couple Marries, One Man's Great Skin Tricks State Into Allowing it For Weeks
Do you want to write for Pinke? We're looking for writers all over the world to write about the gay issues that matter all over the globe. We're particularly looking for travel writers and writers in Asia/Africa/the Middle East, but we'll consider anyone with great writing skills and an interest in the subject. Email Pinke editor Robert Knox for more information.
