Bristol counsellor in gay couples' sex therapy Relate row loses appeal
A Christian relationship counsellor from Bristol who lost his job after refusing to provide sex therapy to gay couples has failed in a further attempt to prove religious discrimination by his former employers.
Gary McFarlane, 48, a former elder in a church in Hanham, lost his fight at the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in London to prove discrimination by the relationship charity Relate.
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Bristol counsellor Gary McFarlane in gay couples' sex therapy Relate row loses appeal
His appeal was launched after an employment tribunal ruled in January that he had been wrongfully dismissed by Relate in March last year but had not been a victim of religious discrimination or unfair dismissal.
He was supported in his appeal by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC) who said a further appeal would be lodged against the decision.
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Mr McFarlane said: "This decision is a stark warning to people of conscience in this nation that as a result of 12 years of Labour rule, the British establishment no longer values the democratic rights of its citizens to hold conscience as a matter of principle.
"Society is the worse for not allowing people of conscience to be free to exercise legitimate rights."
Andrea Minichiello Williams, director of the CLC, said: "The seriously worrying underlying point in this case, which the court has refused to accept, is that for religious belief to be protected it is necessary to uphold the right to manifest that belief.
"The effect of this judgment is to rule out any expression of deeply-held conscience, even when the expression is limited to a very reasonable, practicable and sensible request to be assigned work such that worker and client are best served and that the work is tenable for the worker."
The ruling comes after Islington Council won an appeal last year against a ruling that it unlawfully discriminated against Christian registrar Lillian Ladele who refused to perform same-sex civil partnerships.
A judgment in an appeal to the Court of Appeal by Ms Ladele has been reserved.
Comments
by Pete, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 7:12PM
“The crux of this matter is that the Bible tells Christians that homosexuality is wrong. Therefore by assisting homosexual partners in sex therapy, he is being asked to assist people to commit sin, and therefore is sinning himself.
When viewed in this context it is clearly not a case of a homophobic sex therapist, and on this basis if his employment had been changed such that he had to start working with same sex couples, it is ludicrous that he did not win his employment tribunal. However if he took the job in the full knowledge that he would be expected to offer sex therapy to same sex couples then he is his own fool.
An interesting afterthought¿. Christians also believe that sex before marriage is wrong. Did McFarlane refuse sex therapy on the basis of this also being a sin?”
by Ras, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 11:23AM
“It seems like Gary Mcfarlene, has forgotton or not realised a couple of things firstly according to the book he reads to inform his faith, Let those without sin cast the first stone, does he really think he is more blessed than some who is gay, and secondly maybe he doesn't remember the discrmination he has endured in his life as a Black person, otherwise he would not want to discriminate against others regardless of who they are.”
by Mark, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 9:46AM
“"Chritophobic bigotry" Good one!
As atheists we are against ALL religion & anything else that involves believing in fairy tales & worshiping non- existent deities.
"A fool knows in his heart god doesn't exist, a wise man shouts it from the roof tops"”
by Jon, Oz
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 1:44AM
“To Chaz of Bristol ... You are typical of Christophobes in that you make arogant dismissive comments without any supportive arguements or evidence ... a sure sign of a bigot.”
by matt, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 12:40AM
“Good on this guy for standing up against this, what next man and kangeroo come for councelling.”
by Pete, Bristol
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 12:20AM
“And what a surprise.. This has turned into another Christian / Religion bashing exercise. Christians, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists are not delusional at all. Doesn't everyone at some time in their life stop and wonder about how we got to be here? If you've done that, then you are bound to also consider where it is you will be heading when your time on this Earth is over. I'm not saying that I myself am religious, but it seems depressing that we spend most of our lives working to earn money to put food on the table only for there to be nothing at the end of it. What then is the point of life?
Also I find it ironic that the people ****ging off religion on this thread and dropping (Rather condescendingly) the term 'bigot' are actually acting in a bigoted way themselves! One could argue, you are demonstrating the exact same 'lack of respect' you accuse Mr McFarlane of having exacted on gay couples.
The truth be told, I sympathise with Mr McFarlane because he had the courage to stand up for his convictions. Something that many people don't do these days.”
by Derek, Newport
Monday, November 30 2009, 11:12PM
“Further. Of what interest is it of yours that which other people find in their lives to find comfort. It;s quite arrogant of you to impose your understanding of this mortal coil and utilise your religion in imposing such.
That is supremely un christian.”
by Dave North, Newport
Monday, November 30 2009, 11:01PM
“"This is the thin edge of a terrible wedge."
Indeed it is. Just imagine people living in harmony with other people. How horrible is that.
The terrible wedge you speak of is the wedge that you wish to create against others that you deem are not like you.”
by Richard, Bristol
Monday, November 30 2009, 10:57PM
“I really wish richard would choose a different name.”
by Peter Cook, Bristol
Monday, November 30 2009, 10:04PM
“Let's forget the Christiophobic bigotry. This man was one counsellor among many who could counsel homosexual clients. Such clients in no way missed out. He had a problem with counselling homosexuals on religious grounds. It has now been ruled that religious faith is grounds for dismissal. That is hugely scary. What other beliefs may become unacceptable. This is the path of National Socialism and Stalin. It started with people who had different views to them and ended with the holocaust. It is frightening that a group who were the subject of unacceptable discrimination now becoming the discriminators. This is the thin edge of a terrible wedge.”