UK
Stonewall Disappointment Over High Court Decision
Have your say!
Visit our new "Forum" where
you can post your comments.
You have the option of "signing up" to the forum or to post views as a "guest"
While "free speech" is encouraged, please bear in mind libel etc. Any posts deemed libellous under the laws of England and Wales will be removed. Also, offensive posts will be removed.
Stonewall has expressed its disappointment over this week’s High Court ruling on the new Employment Equality Regulations relating to sexual orientation in employment.
Six unions, backed by the TUC, had challenged an exemption in the regulations that allows a small number of religious organisations to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation. The challenge was rejected.
“This is deeply disappointing,” said Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill. “It’s highly unacceptable that religious organisations should be given license to discriminate in any way."
However, the ruling has made clear that the scope for such discrimination by religious organisations is very narrow. Teachers at faith schools, for example, cannot be sacked for being lesbian or gay.
Stonewall also expressed disappointment that the regulations will not yet equalise pensions for lesbian and gay employees.
“We're saddened that gay employees will not be guaranteed equal pensions treatment," said Summerskill. “Gay people make exactly the same pension contributions as heterosexuals and should be entitled to exactly the same rewards.”
27 April, 2004