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Churches fight new gay rights laws
05/06/2007
Religious institutions in Northern Ireland are in the process of arguing in the High Court in Belfast that the new Sexual Orientation Regulations (Sors) breach their human rights.
The new laws make discrimination against homosexuals by businesses and other organisations providing goods and services illegal in Northern Ireland.
Yet the Christian Institute is among a group of religious organisations claiming that Christians are being discriminated by the new laws as they do not take into account the Church's view of homosexuality as morally wrong.
Colin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, said: "I believe these regulations discriminate against Christians on the basis of their religious beliefs on sexual ethics. They were introduced under direct-rule powers by Peter Hain without proper consultation.
"We have the support of both sides of the religious community in Northern Ireland. People are particularly concerned about the regulations' impact on schools. We hope our legal action will be successful and that these regulations will be declared unlawful."
In the meantime, anyone who feels they have been discriminated against because of their sexuality should visit their solicitors.
Contact us for legal advice
The new laws make discrimination against homosexuals by businesses and other organisations providing goods and services illegal in Northern Ireland.
Yet the Christian Institute is among a group of religious organisations claiming that Christians are being discriminated by the new laws as they do not take into account the Church's view of homosexuality as morally wrong.
Colin Hart, director of the Christian Institute, said: "I believe these regulations discriminate against Christians on the basis of their religious beliefs on sexual ethics. They were introduced under direct-rule powers by Peter Hain without proper consultation.
"We have the support of both sides of the religious community in Northern Ireland. People are particularly concerned about the regulations' impact on schools. We hope our legal action will be successful and that these regulations will be declared unlawful."
In the meantime, anyone who feels they have been discriminated against because of their sexuality should visit their solicitors.
Contact us for legal advice
