Counsellor refused gay sex advice over 'religious beliefs'
A Christian counsellor in Bristol refused to offer sexual therapy to homosexual couples because it was against his religious beliefs, a tribunal heard today.
Gary McFarlane, a solicitor and former church elder, was sacked from the Avon branch of Relate after telling his manager that the Bible forbade homosexual activity and it was his duty to follow this.
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Mr McFarlane, a 47-year-old father of two from Hanham, said he felt he could not offer psycho-sexual therapy (PST), which includes giving directive advice, to homosexuals.
But the employment tribunal in Bristol heard that he told his managers that he was happy to work with homosexual couples in relationship therapy.
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Mr McFarlane, who was wearing a red ribbon to mark World Aids Day today, claims unfair dismissal, harassment and discrimination on the grounds of religion.
In an email to his manager he said that he felt the issue was on a parallel with NHS doctors opposed to carrying out abortions for religious reasons.
Mr McFarlane started training with Relate in May 2003 and enjoyed good relationships with clients and colleagues until he was suspended after meetings with management in October 2007.
He says that he then became the victim of a campaign after a letter was circulated around the centre which labelled him a homophobe.
Following a further disciplinary hearing, he was dismissed on March 18.
Michael Bennett, Avon Relate manager, denied that there had been a breach of confidentiality which had led to the rumours.
"I do not know where that information came from but there was no breach of confidentiality from me."
He told the hearing that there could be no clear distinction between same-sex couples having relationship counselling and the need for sexual therapy.
"We asked him whether he will comply with our equal opportunity policy and in PST that would put his views under great stress and Mr McFarlane felt there was no practical way.
"We dismissed him for a lack of confidence and trust on where he stood on our equal opportunities policy.
"His religious faith is not relevant, it is the application of it to the equal opportunities policy."
When asked by Mr McFarlane's solicitor Paul Diamond whether it would have been possible to "filter" heterosexual clients to Mr McFarlane for PST, Mr Bennett said: "If we segregated clients that way we would be breaching equal opportunities, it would be clear to them why they were being rejected so it would be institutionalised rejection."
Comments
by Mary, bristol
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 10:29AM
“tony, bristol I could not agree more the BEP must be full of bendovers”
by tony, bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 6:44PM
“I can not believe my last comment has just been removed! I worry about our right for free speach! You let Abi call me and Gary a gay couple, mmm says a lot about you mr moderator!!!!”
by A lone liberal voice, Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 6:43PM
“Well since we've evolved from apes it's quite a simple step to say our behaviour has evolved too. At the end of the day when you are intimate with the wife Gary it could be argued that you are simply concreting the your bonds with your partner kind of like the cleaning behaviour in chimps. Elaberate dances between birds who mate with one partner for life are shown on the BBC regularly which could be argued is no different from pensioners waltzing at the ballroom in blackpool.”
by Gary, Cornwall
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 6:05PM
“So you are saying because animals do it, then is must be right. Not a very sophisticated theory now is it.
You may think you are an ape or monkey but most of us have moved on some what from chimps tea parties.”
by A lone liberal voice, Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 5:28PM
“Homosexual behaviour (including sex) has been recorded in birds, felines, canines and most importantly monkeys and apes. This suggests that homosexual behaviour is a deep seated primedial behaviour and therefore not an un-natural act.”
by A lone liberal voice, Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 5:12PM
“Gary,
"I see the challenge to talk about male gay sex has been avoided."
Mainly because most of the posters here know very well that there remarks would be censured out of existance but I'll take up your challenge...”
by Martin, Knowle,Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 5:08PM
“The Alpha course. Explore the meaning of life? So now we have it.You are a creationist Mike. You think a supernatural power made you. You casually say things like God made the world. You are unable to grasp the evidence put forward by modern science.
You cannot even comprehend evolution. You are an adult yet you think like a child, or should that be a sheep. There is no point in going further.”
by Gary, Cornwall
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 4:16PM
“Give a person enough rope and they will hang themselves.
I see the challenge to talk about male gay sex has been avoided. Mr McFarlane was well within his rights to not have such thoughts go through his head many find the concept despicable and a sin.
I like the point washed over early about the gay gene. Nobody is born gay. As the person pointed out early many acts of sex are also nasty, but in my mind none are worse.
As I said early I mean no offence. I know we have always had gay men and perhaps always will, it is them who has to search for answers not me as i have a wife and children to love even if the figure is 10 to 1 which I doubt, it is still very much outside the norm. Luckly for the human race.”
by A lone liberal voice, Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 4:08PM
“Mary is resorting to the same tired old mantra I can almost see her now. She's a Golem like character rocking backwards and forwards and repeating those passages from Timothy and Romans. Both passages written by mortal men and therefore technically not the word of God. Anyway isn't God supposed to be unknowable so how in the hell can anyone make a judgement call on what he thinks of homosexuality?”
by Space Monster, Bristol
Tuesday, December 02 2008, 3:45PM
“The bible is 100% against gay men Mary, bristol
Mary, I trust you're remembering to burn two doves on the last day of your period to attone for your uncleanliness (as instructed to by Leviticus). Otherwise you're selectively adopting Biblical dogma according to your personal preferences and your God will be very cross and probably smite you.”