A Christian school worker in the UK wins a landmark legal battle over religious freedom and free speech after being fired for criticizing LGBTQ+ education policies.
At a Glance
- Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker, was dismissed for Facebook posts criticizing LGBTQ+ relationship lessons
- UK Court of Appeal ruled her dismissal “unlawfully discriminatory” and “disproportionate”
- The ruling sets a precedent for protecting religious beliefs in employment contexts
- Decision reaffirms Equality Act protection for traditional Christian beliefs on social issues
Court Overturns School’s Decision
In a significant ruling, the UK Court of Appeal has determined that the dismissal of Kristie Higgs, a Christian school worker, was unlawful. Higgs was fired from Farmor’s School in Gloucestershire in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts that criticized LGBTQ+ relationship lessons for primary schoolchildren. The court’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate surrounding religious freedom and educational policies in the United Kingdom.
The dismissal followed an anonymous complaint from a parent, leading to Higgs being sacked for gross misconduct. However, three Court of Appeal judges ruled in her favor, stating that the dismissal was “unlawfully discriminatory” and “disproportionate.” This ruling overturns the initial decision of an employment tribunal that had found her dismissal lawful.
Religious Beliefs Protected Under Equality Act
The court’s judgment acknowledged that Higgs’s beliefs on gender and marriage are protected under the Equality Act 2010. This recognition is crucial as it establishes a legal precedent that dismissing an employee for expressing religious beliefs constitutes unlawful direct discrimination under the Act. The ruling effectively draws a clear line between professional standards and personal views, ensuring protection against religious discrimination in the workplace.
“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 of the Christian Legal Centre said.
While the school argued that Higgs’s dismissal was justified due to potential reputational damage from her posts, the court found this reasoning insufficient. The judges noted that Higgs had not expressed such views at work, and the language of her posts did not warrant termination of employment.
Implications for Free Speech and Religious Liberty
The Court of Appeal’s decision is being hailed as a significant victory for Christian freedoms and free speech in the UK. It sets a legal presumption that dismissals for expressing Christian faith are illegal, reshaping the landscape of religious freedom in the workplace. This ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for how future cases balance personal beliefs with educational policies.
“I pray that today will prove to be a landmark day for Christian freedoms and free speech. Christians have the right to express their beliefs on social media and at other non-work-related settings without fear of being punished by their employer,” Kristie Higgs said.
