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.

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.

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."