London registrar refuses to officiate at homosexual “weddings” because of her religious beliefs
-- From "Registrar sues for right not to marry gays" by Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs correspondent, The Telegraph 5/18/08
Islington council in London has told Lillian Ladele she could lose her job unless she agrees to preside at the ceremonies. She claims “discrimination or victimisation on grounds of religion or belief”.
The employment tribunal ruling could set a precedent over whether employees can be required to act against their consciences.
The Civil Partnership Act was introduced in 2004, giving same-sex couples the same rights as married couples. Miss Ladele, who has worked at the council since 1992, feels she should be given exemption.
“I feel strongly about maintaining my Christian beliefs and conscience,” she said.
“I can’t go against what it says in the Bible. I don’t understand why the council can’t use other people who have no problem with the ceremonies.”
The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, said it was important that objections on grounds of conscience should be recognised. But Ben Summerskill, of Stonewall, the homosexual rights group, said: “Doctors and nurses can’t choose who they treat, and nor should a registrar be allowed to discriminate.”
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