A Christian school worker’s dismissal for criticizing LGBTQ+ education policies on Facebook has been deemed unlawful by the UK Court of Appeal, marking a significant victory for religious freedom in education.
At a Glance
- Kristie Higgs was fired from Farmor’s School in 2019 for Facebook posts criticizing LGBTQ+ lessons
- Court of Appeal ruled her dismissal was “unlawfully discriminatory” and “disproportionate”
- The ruling establishes a legal presumption that dismissals for expressing Christian faith are illegal
- The case sets a precedent for protecting Christian beliefs in employment contexts
- The decision reaffirms that the Equality Act protects traditional Christian beliefs on social issues
Court Overturns Dismissal of Christian School Worker
In a landmark 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 significant development 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,” court of appeal judges said.
Religious Beliefs Protected Under Equality Act
The court’s ruling underscores the protection of religious beliefs under the Equality Act 2010. It was determined that Higgs’s views on gender and marriage, which she expressed in her Facebook posts, are protected by law. The judgment establishes a legal presumption that dismissals for expressing Christian faith are illegal, setting a precedent for future cases involving religious expression 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,” said Andrea Williams of the Christian Legal Centre.
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 any potential harm to the school’s reputation did not warrant her termination, especially since she had not expressed such views at work.
Implications for Free Speech and Religious Liberty
This ruling has been hailed as a significant victory for Christian freedoms and free speech. Higgs welcomed the decision, stating, “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.”
“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,” said Williams.
The Christian Legal Centre, which supported Higgs throughout her legal battle, emphasized that this decision reshapes the landscape of religious freedom in the workplace. The ruling is seen as a victory for free speech and religious liberty in English law, potentially influencing how similar cases are handled in the future.
