Islington Tribune - News: Gay marriage registrar row

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Islington Tribune - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 11 January 2008

Gay marriage registrar row

MYSTERY surrounds the identity of a marriage registrar who is taking Islington Council to tribunal because she claims that performing gay weddings goes against her religious beliefs.
The devout Christian – one of 13 registrars at the Town Hall – has refused to carry out any of the 600-plus civil partnerships that have taken place in the borough since they were legalised in December 2005.
Her stance has provoked widespread condemnation from the gay community which argues that a professional person should put personal religious beliefs aside.
But some Christians maintain that even though the same sex civil ceremony is legal, the woman is entitled to refuse to officiate if it goes against her beliefs.
Jack Gilbert, chairman of Islington’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender forum, said: “Everyone is entitled to their personal religious beliefs but when they are in a public position those views have to be put aside.”
Derek Munn, director of public affairs at the gay equality organisation Stonewall, added: “All public servants are paid to uphold the law of the land. Doubtless there were those 40 years ago who claimed a moral objection to marriages between those of different ethnic origins.
“Discrimination on any basis is equally unacceptable.”
The registrar has been suspended from work ahead of the upcoming employment tribunal, which will be the first case of its kind.
Labour councillor Joan Coupland, said: “That is her job plain and simple, and she shouldn’t be doing it with those prejudices. I can’t believe she has got away with it for so long.”
The response from church-goers was more sympathetic.
Christine Gobett from Highbury Baptist Church said: “It is the law that has changed, not Christianity.
“Why should we be expected to change our beliefs?”
A spokesperson for Islington Council said it would defend its case ‘robustly’.
Since the first gay couple, who were council employees, tied the knot at the Town Hall, it has become one of the country’s most popular venues for the ceremonies.

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