Commenting on the decision of an employment tribunal to find the Bishop of Hereford guilty of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation for his refusal to appoint a gay youth worker, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“Lesbian, gay and bisexual people work for religious organisations all over the country. No one should suffer discrimination because of their sexual orientation, and this case has confirmed that this includes religious organisations.
‘Had the tribunal upheld the Bishop’s attempt to distinguish between sexual orientation and sexual practice, it would have driven a coach and horses through the UK’s anti-discrimination laws. It would have made it possible for organisations hostile to lesbian, gay and bisexual people to argue that they were not breaking the law if they sacked, or refused to employ, anyone whose life did not meet their own narrow and discriminatory views of how their employees should live.
‘This employment tribunal decision confirms that religious organisations cannot discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation.”
