No Appeal For Sex Counsellor

Appeal Rejected For The Relationship Counsellor Who Refused To Work With Gay's






A appeal  from Gary McFarlane, a relationship counsellor from Bristol against his sacking  for refusing to give sex therapy to gay couples was turned down by the UK's  High Court this week.
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Gary McFarlane whose  48, from Bristol, was sacked by Relate Avon in 2008. He claimed the service had refused to accommodate his Christian beliefs.     However,  Lord Justice Laws told that legislation for the protection of views held purely on religious grounds cannot be justified.


Mr McFarlane  told the BBC  he was "disappointed and upset"  after the rulling was given,  "I have the ability to provide counselling services to same-sex couples," he said.    "However, because of my Christian beliefs and principles, there should be allowances taken into account whereby individuals like me can actually avoid having to contradict their very strongly-held Christian principles."




Mr McFarlane  began training with Relate  back in May 2003,   he said he had  'enjoyed' good relationships with clients and colleagues.   But  during October 2007 he was suspended after meetings with his manager,   he said he was asked to state his views  relating to gay couples.  It was a little time later that he was fired from his post.   He appealed against his dismissal,  and in  November he lost that appeal,  so  to the high court he went. which has now  which  Mr McFarlane lost his appeal against unfair dismissal.


The chief executive of Relate,  Claire Tyler said: "This judgement validates, once again, Relate's commitment to providing all members of the public full access to our services.     We help, 150,000 clients each year and nothing can damage or undermine the principles of trust and respect that underpins our work."




Derek Munn, a director at gay pressure group Stonewall, said: "People delivering public services mustn't be able to pick and choose who they will serve on the basis of personal prejudice.


Jason Shaw






Jason's Blog  is  The Seafront Diaries,  a daily look at life in Brighton for one slightly eccentric writer.



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