Irish Wedding News
19/03/2014
A Christian couple accused of discriminating against same-sex couples are to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Christian Concern has said.
Jeff and Sue Green, from Powys in Wales, own a guesthouse but are alleged to have discriminated against gay couples by only offering double rooms at their B&B to married couples.
The couple were previously challenged by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over their decision to provide rooms to married couples only. In its letter to the Greens, the EHRC claimed it had received a complaint about the Llandrindod Wells guesthouse and said it was against the law to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation.
The couple then changed their policy to no longer provide a double bed in any room, but to offer twin rooms with separate single beds, but Mr and Mrs Green said they wanted to conduct their business in line with their Christian conscience.
They are now taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg with support from campaign group Christian Concern.
Jeff Green, who is Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, said: "We believe that the rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights are an illusion in the UK, so we have to go to Europe because we don't have a fighting chance in the UK courts."
His wife added: "We have no recollection of ever refusing accommodation to same-sex couples and the EHRC gives no evidence of a complaint in its letter.
"We have asked the EHRC to identify their evidence and source of complaint. It would be a matter of deep concern if a public authority is simply scanning websites with the intention of confronting Christian businesses which want to conduct their activities in line with their beliefs."
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is the legal arm of Christian Concern, said: "This case is about people's freedom to live in line with their Christian faith and conscience in the public space. It is disappointing that our Courts do not recognise this and this is why we are taking the case to Europe where we hope to secure justice. It is ironic that the Court in Strasbourg seems to understand the nature of Christian faith better than our own courts.
"Debate over sexual morality has been allowed to become a battlefield and we are concerned about the attempt to clamp down and even exclude Christian beliefs on the issue from public life."
Same-sex marriage will become legal in England and Wales on 29 March. Scotland has also passed a gay marriage bill, with ceremonies expected to take place later this year.
Northern Ireland has previously said it has no plans to change its legislation.
(JP/MH)
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Gay Discrimination Case Goes To Court
A Christian couple accused of discriminating against same-sex couples are to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, Christian Concern has said.
Jeff and Sue Green, from Powys in Wales, own a guesthouse but are alleged to have discriminated against gay couples by only offering double rooms at their B&B to married couples.
The couple were previously challenged by the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) over their decision to provide rooms to married couples only. In its letter to the Greens, the EHRC claimed it had received a complaint about the Llandrindod Wells guesthouse and said it was against the law to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation.
The couple then changed their policy to no longer provide a double bed in any room, but to offer twin rooms with separate single beds, but Mr and Mrs Green said they wanted to conduct their business in line with their Christian conscience.
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They are now taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg with support from campaign group Christian Concern.
Jeff Green, who is Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, said: "We believe that the rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights are an illusion in the UK, so we have to go to Europe because we don't have a fighting chance in the UK courts."
His wife added: "We have no recollection of ever refusing accommodation to same-sex couples and the EHRC gives no evidence of a complaint in its letter.
"We have asked the EHRC to identify their evidence and source of complaint. It would be a matter of deep concern if a public authority is simply scanning websites with the intention of confronting Christian businesses which want to conduct their activities in line with their beliefs."
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is the legal arm of Christian Concern, said: "This case is about people's freedom to live in line with their Christian faith and conscience in the public space. It is disappointing that our Courts do not recognise this and this is why we are taking the case to Europe where we hope to secure justice. It is ironic that the Court in Strasbourg seems to understand the nature of Christian faith better than our own courts.
"Debate over sexual morality has been allowed to become a battlefield and we are concerned about the attempt to clamp down and even exclude Christian beliefs on the issue from public life."
Same-sex marriage will become legal in England and Wales on 29 March. Scotland has also passed a gay marriage bill, with ceremonies expected to take place later this year.
Northern Ireland has previously said it has no plans to change its legislation.
(JP/MH)
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