Comments on: Christian council worker sues after being sacked for homophobic email http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/ PinkNews.co.uk Gay News (UK and world) from Pink News - all the gay news for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and beyond- gay news from Pink News Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:33:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Tommy http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-88461 Tommy Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:17:31 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-88461 How ridiculous to make such a fuss about this employee. I am born again and gay, by the way. Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death.". Who didn't know that? Deal with it. That's what the lady was saying.It's not talking about killing someone here on earth and she didn't mean that; it means that anyone who rejects Christ as Saviour will go to hell when they die. How ridiculous to make such a fuss about this employee. I am born again and gay, by the way. Romans 6:23 says "the wages of sin is death.". Who didn't know that? Deal with it. That's what the lady was saying.It's not talking about killing someone here on earth and she didn't mean that; it means that anyone who rejects Christ as Saviour will go to hell when they die.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Shawn http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-82388 Shawn Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:34:14 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-82388 Denise Haye totally deserved the sack and I pray to God that the court decides in favour of Lewisham Council. Sadly I have to say that local authorities like Southwark and Lewisham are infested with Christian extremists, generally belonging to the Black community. This is utterly not a racist remark, being proud myself of my mixed background. However, people with such homophobic hatred should not be allowed to occupy key council positions whereby their decision might affect people's lives. I know what I am talking about because a couple of years ago I urgently needed Southwark council's help and support. Being a victim of domestic violence, I was advised by the likes of Stonewall to seek immediate assistance from my council in terms of housing as I was unemployed at that time. Life was hell with my then boyfriend who became extremely violent - both verbally and physically - soon after he lost his job. I met a council advisor to whom I had to tell my whole story. She seemed to be quite welcoming at first but when I came to the bit where I had to mention the word boyfriend, I could clearly discern how her attitude shifted dramatically. She even asked me to confirm whether I actually meant boyfriend. Immediately after that, she swiftly went through the long questionnaire as though she wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible. It was as if I was someone she had just discovered was carrying some lethal infectious disease. It was an awful feeling. That wasn't all. At the end of that very first interview, she seemed to expedite my case by concluding that at first sight, she did not think I would get much help from the council as the list of people who deserved that support - those with children, for instance - was exhaustive. And the coup de grâce was yet to come: I shouldn't try and get in touch with the department if I wasn't to hear anything afterwards, she ordered. Anything, I didn't hear after that appalling treatment, as you would have guessed. I decided not to take the case further on the grounds of sexual discrimination insofar as I didn't have solid evidence. But the most important thing for me was to devote my time and energy to sorting out my situation - something I eventually succeeded in doing on my own. That is the reason why I believe these people - who always pretend to be victimised because of their strong Christian faith - should come straight at the very outset and say they don't accept homosexuality during the interview process for such sensitive roles with any council. The irony is that these people are the first to take to the streets to protest against racial discrimination but, at the same time, they tend to be amongst the first to practise gay bashing. All the progress achieved in terms of equal rights for the gay community is being hampered and put in peril by such people full of hatred. I just hope they won't have the last word. Denise Haye totally deserved the sack and I pray to God that the court decides in favour of Lewisham Council.

Sadly I have to say that local authorities like Southwark and Lewisham are infested with Christian extremists, generally belonging to the Black community. This is utterly not a racist remark, being proud myself of my mixed background. However, people with such homophobic hatred should not be allowed to occupy key council positions whereby their decision might affect people's lives.

I know what I am talking about because a couple of years ago I urgently needed Southwark council's help and support. Being a victim of domestic violence, I was advised by the likes of Stonewall to seek immediate assistance from my council in terms of housing as I was unemployed at that time.

Life was hell with my then boyfriend who became extremely violent – both verbally and physically – soon after he lost his job. I met a council advisor to whom I had to tell my whole story. She seemed to be quite welcoming at first but when I came to the bit where I had to mention the word boyfriend, I could clearly discern how her attitude shifted dramatically. She even asked me to confirm whether I actually meant boyfriend. Immediately after that, she swiftly went through the long questionnaire as though she wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible. It was as if I was someone she had just discovered was carrying some lethal infectious disease. It was an awful feeling. That wasn't all. At the end of that very first interview, she seemed to expedite my case by concluding that at first sight, she did not think I would get much help from the council as the list of people who deserved that support – those with children, for instance – was exhaustive.

And the coup de grâce was yet to come: I shouldn't try and get in touch with the department if I wasn't to hear anything afterwards, she ordered. Anything, I didn't hear after that appalling treatment, as you would have guessed. I decided not to take the case further on the grounds of sexual discrimination insofar as I didn't have solid evidence.

But the most important thing for me was to devote my time and energy to sorting out my situation – something I eventually succeeded in doing on my own.

That is the reason why I believe these people – who always pretend to be victimised because of their strong Christian faith – should come straight at the very outset and say they don't accept homosexuality during the interview process for such sensitive roles with any council.

The irony is that these people are the first to take to the streets to protest against racial discrimination but, at the same time, they tend to be amongst the first to practise gay bashing.

All the progress achieved in terms of equal rights for the gay community is being hampered and put in peril by such people full of hatred. I just hope they won't have the last word.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Rose http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-78780 Rose Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:51:50 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-78780 The bible is homophobic. It advocates death to homosexuals. That's a hate crime. The bible is homophobic. It advocates death to homosexuals. That's a hate crime.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Fionia http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-78100 Fionia Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:56:59 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-78100 This article whcih LGCM have placed in the Pink News stirs up hatred against Denise. She stood up for rightiousness. Anyway God is coming back soon to judge the rightious and the wicked accoding to their works. This article whcih LGCM have placed in the Pink News stirs up hatred against Denise. She stood up for rightiousness. Anyway God is coming back soon to judge the rightious and the wicked accoding to their works.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Fionia http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-78099 Fionia Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:53:49 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-78099 Those of you who have left comments regarding this case already if you had any brains you would get the full story first. Denise did not send a personal email to LGCM she responded to the feedback enquiry page and LGCM breached her confidentiality when talebaring to Lewisham Council to spitefully get her sacked. Secondly she did it in her own time. Thirdly nothing in the message was homophobic but it was based on biblical scripture not her own opinions. Not out of hatred, malice or homophobia but out of concern that LGCM actually think homosexuality is good practice accoding to scripture. she witnessed the faith to them out of love concerned that the punishment for homosexual practice according to scripute is not heaven but hell.why cant you people see that. if anyones the one stiring up hatred its LGCM not densie. her fight is against the council not against LGCM they can do what they want, the council are the ones who have discrimnated against denise. you cant call a person homophobic becasue they dont agree with the practice based on the faith of the gospel thats labelling and its wrong. LGCM are the ones discriminating against anyone who doesnt agree with them..thats the truth Those of you who have left comments regarding this case already if you had any brains you would get the full story first. Denise did not send a personal email to LGCM she responded to the feedback enquiry page and LGCM breached her confidentiality when talebaring to Lewisham Council to spitefully get her sacked. Secondly she did it in her own time. Thirdly nothing in the message was homophobic but it was based on biblical scripture not her own opinions. Not out of hatred, malice or homophobia but out of concern that LGCM actually think homosexuality is good practice accoding to scripture. she witnessed the faith to them out of love concerned that the punishment for homosexual practice according to scripute is not heaven but hell.why cant you people see that. if anyones the one stiring up hatred its LGCM not densie. her fight is against the council not against LGCM they can do what they want, the council are the ones who have discrimnated against denise. you cant call a person homophobic becasue they dont agree with the practice based on the faith of the gospel thats labelling and its wrong. LGCM are the ones discriminating against anyone who doesnt agree with them..thats the truth

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Melora Roberts http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-76806 Melora Roberts Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:52:24 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76806 Haye got what she deserved and good riddance. Ironic that she mentioned the "wages of sin" because she won't be getting any wages anymore! Haye got what she deserved and good riddance. Ironic that she mentioned the "wages of sin" because she won't be getting any wages anymore!

Report this comment to us

]]> By: P Gibbs http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-2/#comment-76755 P Gibbs Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:22:23 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76755 A scriptural message for Denise Haye. Romans 2:1: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." A scriptural message for Denise Haye.
Romans 2:1: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Will the Scouser http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76633 Will the Scouser Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:47:16 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76633 This is how I see it: This woman was perfectly entitled to have homophobic views. She was NOT entitled to use either work time OR her work e-mail address to clobber anyone else with them. If, as she says, she really didn’t think that her name would show up on the e-mail when it was received, then her intention was obviously to hide behind her work e-mail address to sent anonymous hate mail. What a profoundly Christian thing to do – I don’t think. Whether or not she should have been sacked, she should certainly have been severely disciplined. The decision to sack her was made by Lewisham Council, not by Sharon Ferguson, who very properly complained. These "Christian" homophobics are not infrequently cowards. She's just one of them. This is how I see it:

This woman was perfectly entitled to have homophobic views. She was NOT entitled to use either work time OR her work e-mail address to clobber anyone else with them. If, as she says, she really didn’t think that her name would show up on the e-mail when it was received, then her intention was obviously to hide behind her work e-mail address to sent anonymous hate mail. What a profoundly Christian thing to do – I don’t think.

Whether or not she should have been sacked, she should certainly have been severely disciplined. The decision to sack her was made by Lewisham Council, not by Sharon Ferguson, who very properly complained.

These "Christian" homophobics are not infrequently cowards. She's just one of them.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: P Gibbs http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76614 P Gibbs Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:27:12 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76614 Poison pen letters and their authors rarely bring anything good into this world. Poison pen letters and their authors rarely bring anything good into this world.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Iris http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76562 Iris Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:09:29 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76562 True, Will. The more I read about this case, the stranger it sounds. For a start, why didn't she use the contact form on the website? Is part of her job in the legal dept looking for churches, as it's been reported she was doing when she came across this site? And how on earth can she claim that telling a complete stranger that they should be "ashamed" of themselves and that they're "not normal", was done out of concern? In general, there are so many of these cases recently, I wouldn't be surprised if 'Christians' are doing this on purpose - provoking action then claiming that their faith has been discriminated against. True, Will. The more I read about this case, the stranger it sounds. For a start, why didn't she use the contact form on the website? Is part of her job in the legal dept looking for churches, as it's been reported she was doing when she came across this site? And how on earth can she claim that telling a complete stranger that they should be "ashamed" of themselves and that they're "not normal", was done out of concern?

In general, there are so many of these cases recently, I wouldn't be surprised if 'Christians' are doing this on purpose – provoking action then claiming that their faith has been discriminated against.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Will http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76533 Will Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:50:24 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76533 Iris, her eyesight of her closet sexuality.... the lady is, quite literally, protesting too much. Iris, her eyesight of her closet sexuality…. the lady is, quite literally, protesting too much.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Iris http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76531 Iris Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:38:16 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76531 I read more about this story yesterday. Apparently, the lady in question claims she didn't realise she was on a lesbian and gay site. Hmmm.... Take a look at their home page: www.lgcm.org.uk/ And with the mention of 'gay', 'lesbian' or 'homosexuality' on pratically every page, you have to wonder about her eyesight... I read more about this story yesterday. Apparently, the lady in question claims she didn't realise she was on a lesbian and gay site. Hmmm…. Take a look at their home page:

http://www.lgcm.org.uk/

And with the mention of 'gay', 'lesbian' or 'homosexuality' on pratically every page, you have to wonder about her eyesight…

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Sister Mary Clarence http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76499 Sister Mary Clarence Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:17:18 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76499 Following on from J Carter's point - I'm sure the baby Jesus would have something to say about this snivelling little bigot now lying through her teeth to saw her skin - hardly very Godly is it. Following on from J Carter's point – I'm sure the baby Jesus would have something to say about this snivelling little bigot now lying through her teeth to saw her skin – hardly very Godly is it.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: 21stCenturySpirituality http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76484 21stCenturySpirituality Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:22:03 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76484 Stewart Cowan, if she had sent a racist e-mail she would have been fired, and rightly so. If she had sent a sexist e-mail, she would have been fired, and rightly so. She sent an e-mail expressing prejudice towards a gay person which would have been just as contrary to the standard equality policy of most employers nowadays. The fact that she used council property to do so could potentially have bought the council into disrepute. The irony of all this is that she was working in the legal department which implies that she should have been fully aware of employment equality law as it now stands. She only has herself to blame as far as im concerned. She should chalk it down to experience and move on. Stewart Cowan, if she had sent a racist e-mail she would have been fired, and rightly so. If she had sent a sexist e-mail, she would have been fired, and rightly so. She sent an e-mail expressing prejudice towards a gay person which would have been just as contrary to the standard equality policy of most employers nowadays. The fact that she used council property to do so could potentially have bought the council into disrepute. The irony of all this is that she was working in the legal department which implies that she should have been fully aware of employment equality law as it now stands. She only has herself to blame as far as im concerned. She should chalk it down to experience and move on.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Will http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76481 Will Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:07:14 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76481 "but I'm sure she wouldn't have been suspended had her email been about anything else." Yeah, well duh! If it was about her job and what she was supposed to be doing, then she wouldn't have been fired. But no, she decided to be a hateful little bitch when she was supposed to be working... utilising company resources and company time, not to mention damaging the reputation of her employers, and now she is all boo-hoo because she got what she deserved? Dumb cow. And you're a dumber f*** for supporting the petty bitch. "but I'm sure she wouldn't have been suspended had her email been about anything else."

Yeah, well duh! If it was about her job and what she was supposed to be doing, then she wouldn't have been fired. But no, she decided to be a hateful little bitch when she was supposed to be working… utilising company resources and company time, not to mention damaging the reputation of her employers, and now she is all boo-hoo because she got what she deserved? Dumb cow. And you're a dumber f*** for supporting the petty bitch.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Stewart Cowan http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76473 Stewart Cowan Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:14:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76473 21stCentury - I'm not saying she should have sent the email in her working hours (if indeed she did), but I'm sure she wouldn't have been suspended had her email been about anything else. 21stCentury – I'm not saying she should have sent the email in her working hours (if indeed she did), but I'm sure she wouldn't have been suspended had her email been about anything else.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: J Carter http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76417 J Carter Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:34:51 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76417 Well her email address did show and the sly nasty bitch was caught out. And now she's blatently lying and trying for a payout. I'm sure the baby Jesus would not aprove of her greed and nastiness. hypocrites the lot of them! Well her email address did show and the sly nasty bitch was caught out. And now she's blatently lying and trying for a payout.
I'm sure the baby Jesus would not aprove of her greed and nastiness.
hypocrites the lot of them!

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Tigra 07 http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76375 Tigra 07 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:55:31 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76375 "It wasn’t with any malicious intent and it wasn’t with any hatred, it was out of sheer concern.” Saying that all gay people are sinners and will die for being gay sounds malicious to me This woman shouldn't be working for the council if she can't treat people equally and with respect It's shamefull she is not suing for being sacked! My wages paid yours bitch! "It wasn’t with any malicious intent and it wasn’t with any hatred, it was out of sheer concern.”
Saying that all gay people are sinners and will die for being gay sounds malicious to me
This woman shouldn't be working for the council if she can't treat people equally and with respect

It's shamefull she is not suing for being sacked!
My wages paid yours bitch!

Report this comment to us

]]> By: Robert, ex-pat Brit http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76374 Robert, ex-pat Brit Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:49:02 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76374 Why doesn't this silly bitch find a job in her local place of worship? I'm sure they need cleaners and flower arrangers, she'd be a lot happier there I think. Religious cultism has absolutely no business in the workplace, I'm all for banning it. Its also time to disestablish state religion altogether, it serves NO purpose and is totally irrelevant in modern society, nor should it be meddling in the political process either. Why doesn't this silly bitch find a job in her local place of worship? I'm sure they need cleaners and flower arrangers, she'd be a lot happier there I think. Religious cultism has absolutely no business in the workplace, I'm all for banning it. Its also time to disestablish state religion altogether, it serves NO purpose and is totally irrelevant in modern society, nor should it be meddling in the political process either.

Report this comment to us

]]> By: theotherone http://news.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/comment-page-1/#comment-76369 theotherone Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:22:01 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/07/christian-council-worker-sues-after-being-sacked-for-homophobic-email/#comment-76369 'she did not realise her name would be visible' *blinks rapidly* what a Religious Idiot. 'she did not realise her name would be visible'

*blinks rapidly*

what a Religious Idiot.

Report this comment to us

]]>