Two people who were ultimately dismissed because they wouldn’t work with gay couples, have lost their anti-discrimination case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. Both claimed they were expected to carry out functions that conflicted with their Christian beliefs and were therefore discriminated against
Lillian Ladele and Gary McFarlane both refused to work with same-sex couples because of their Christian faith.
They were subsequently fired and say it was an act of discrimination.
Ms Ladele was a marriage registrar for London’s Islington Borough Council but refused to conduct civil partnerships.
Mr McFarlane, from Bristol, was a relationship counsellor who was sacked in 2008 after saying he refused to give sex therapy to gay couples.
He now plans to appeal the ECHR decision.
The Christian Institute said it was “disappointed” by the ruling, adding that it showed Christians with traditional beliefs about marriage were “at risk of being left out in the cold”.
However, equality groups have welcomed the verdict.
The court did, however find in favour of a BA employee, Ms Eweida, who was instructed to remove her crucifix at work, feeling that her right to wear a symbol showing her belief outweighed her employers’ desire to present a corporate image.