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Dear all. Ref some emails earlier – colleagues will hopefully find the note below from Stonewall, of interest and use. Regards JOHN McLELLAN From: Ben Summerskill Sent: 12 July 2011 14:09 To: John McLellan Subject: RE: Reasonable Accommodation of religious beliefs Thanks John. Good to hear from you. Our position on this, if helpful, is: ‘Stonewall is deeply disturbed at the EHRC’s statement announcing applications to intervene in European Court cases of claimed discrimination against Christians in the workplace. The case features two individuals, Lillian Ladele and Gary McFarlane, who have refused to provide public services to gay people. The Commission should be crystal clear that if it seeks to defend the claimed right of any public servant to turn away any user of a public service, it will face strong opposition. Gay taxpayers currently contribute £40 billion a year to the cost of Britain’s public services and no lesbian and gay person should ever be deprived of access to them. The EHRC’s announcement, which has apparently been made by officers without consulting its board, confuses a settled legal situation that is currently clear. If employees are allowed to discriminate against gay people in the delivery of publicly-funded services, using the cloak of religion as justification, then we risk seeing a situation where Muslims may start refusing to treat alcoholics in hospital or social workers might decline to assist single mothers. Recent research has demonstrated that the majority of religious people in Britain are proud of our progress toward gay equality. They understand that religious beliefs do not mean individuals have a right to treat lesbian, gay and bisexual people unfairly. We regret that the EHRC does not appear to support this sentiment. We hope it will now offer an unambiguous clarification of its position.’ If you want to circulate this statement to the people who sent you the email you’re very welcome. Kind regards Ben Ben Summerskill Chief Executive Assistant: Michelle Moon Lim [log in to unmask] *************************** <http://www.stonewall.org.uk/info> Description: Stonewall's Info Service - Need some more support? Stonewall’s info line on 08000 50 20 20 can offer information and referrals to callers on a wide range of topics, including education, parenting and employment. The info line is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm, but you can also find our info service online at www.stonewall.org.uk/info or email us on [log in to unmask] *************************** Direct: 020 7593 1851 Switchboard: 020 7593 1850 Info Line: 08000 50 20 20 www.stonewall.org.uk Registered in England and Wales: Stonewall Equality Ltd, Tower Building, York Road, London SE1 7NX Registration no 02412299 - VAT no 862 9064 05 - Charity no 1101255 This e-mail is confidential and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee it may be unlawful for you to read, copy, distribute, disclose or otherwise use the information in this e-mail. If you are not the intended recipient please notify us immediately.