Gay canon loses discrimination case

THE hearing of a gay Anglican priest who last week lost a discrimination case after he defied a church ruling and married his partner, has “shone a light on the challenges facing gay and lesbian people” according to a leading figure in the Lesbian and Gay Christian movement, writes Paul Wilkinson.

An employment tribunal last week rejected the claim by Canon Jeremy Pemberton that the former Acting Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham was wrong to refuse him a necessary licence to take up an appointment as a hospital chaplain because he had married his partner.
Tracey Byrne, chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement  said: “Is this the kind of established Church we want? One which is allowed to discriminate?”

Canon Pemberton plans to appeal.