Teacher suspended over gay rights speech [Excerpts]
Kwabena Peat, 54, walked out of a training session at Park View Academy in Haringey, after claiming Sue Sanders from campaign group School's Out questioned why people thought heterosexuality was natural.
Mr Peat, who is a practicing Christian, said Ms Sanders told him and his colleagues that anyone who did not accept homosexuality was 'normal' had "issues" they must deal with.
He said: "I expected the training session to help us by providing good information on how to handle bullying but she had another agenda. She started promoting homosexual lifestyles and suggesting those who had objections should sort out their prejudices.
"She clearly asked us 'what makes you all think that to be heterosexual is natural?’"
Following the session on January 16, Mr Peat wrote to three members of staff to complain about the "aggressive" presentation.
They complained to head teacher Alex Atherton about the nature of Mr Peat's letter and he was put on paid leave pending a disciplinary investigation.
Mr Atherton said: "No-one has been suspended for complaining about the training session. An allegation of intimidation and harassment is currently being investigated against a member of staff."
Andrea Minichiello Williams, barrister and director of the Christian Legal Centre said: “Mr Peat is being discriminated against for expressing his Christian faith. A legitimate orthodox Christian view as expressed by Mr Peat, however disagreeable others may find it, should not be construed as harassment or discrimination. If this is allowed to continue it will be state censorship leading to the infringement of a person’s right to freedom of religion and speech.”
(Worthing Herald [UK], Press Association Ltd, April 27, 2009).
