A Christian teacher in the UK wins a landmark legal battle after being fired for criticizing LGBT policies, setting a precedent for religious freedom in education.
Quick Takes
- Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker, was unlawfully dismissed for Facebook posts criticizing LGBTQ+ relationship lessons
- The UK Court of Appeal ruled her dismissal as discriminatory and disproportionate
- The ruling establishes a legal presumption that dismissals for expressing Christian faith are illegal
- This case sets a significant precedent for protecting religious beliefs in employment contexts
Christian Teacher’s Dismissal Overturned
Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker at Farmor’s School in Gloucestershire, was dismissed in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts that criticized LGBTQ+ relationship lessons for primary schoolchildren. The dismissal followed an anonymous complaint from a parent, leading to Higgs being sacked for gross misconduct. However, in a recent ruling, three Court of Appeal judges determined that her dismissal was “unlawfully discriminatory” and “disproportionate.”
The court’s decision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing professional expectations with personal convictions in educational settings. Higgs’s Facebook posts, which were only visible to her followers, expressed objections to the No Outsiders equalities program, describing it as “brainwashing” and conflicting with her Christian beliefs on gender and marriage.
Legal Implications and Protections
The Court of Appeal’s ruling establishes that dismissing an employee for expressing religious beliefs constitutes unlawful direct discrimination under the Equality Act. This decision overturns an initial employment tribunal finding that deemed her dismissal lawful. The judgment acknowledged that Higgs’s beliefs on gender and marriage are protected by the Equality Act 2010, setting a significant precedent for educators who may face similar situations in the future.
“This is a great victory for Kristie, who lost her job and livelihood for doing no more than expressing her dismay at the nonsensical ideas of gender-fluidity being taught to her child at a Church of England primary school.” – Andrea Williams
The school had argued that Higgs’s dismissal was justified due to potential reputational damage from her posts. However, the court found that the language of the posts and potential reputational damage did not justify her dismissal, as she had not expressed such views at work. Importantly, the court noted that there were no complaints about discriminatory treatment of students by Higgs.
Victory for Religious Freedom and Free Speech
Higgs welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a landmark day for Christian freedoms and free speech.” The Christian Legal Centre, which supported Higgs throughout her legal battle, stated that the decision reshapes freedom of religion in the workplace. This ruling is seen as a significant victory for free speech and religious liberty in English law, reaffirming that the Equality Act protects traditional Christian beliefs on social issues.
“Free speech and religious liberty are not yet extinguished from the English law. The outcome of Kristie’s case sets an important legal precedent for many years to come.” – Andrea Williams
While the court’s decision focused on the proportionality of Higgs’s dismissal rather than endorsing her beliefs, it establishes a legal presumption that dismissals for expressing Christian faith are illegal. This landmark ruling sets a legal precedent for protecting Christian beliefs in employment contexts, potentially influencing future cases involving religious expression in the workplace.
Sources:
- Sacking of Christian school worker over posts about LGBTQ+ lessons unlawful, court rules
- Christian teacher wins appeal after being fired for posts criticizing LGBT agenda in schools
