UK REGISTRAR SUES TO AVOID GAY WEDDINGS

A marriage registrar in the UK is suing her bosses over being forced to perform same-sex partnership ceremonies which go against her beliefs.

The woman, whose name has not be released, is taking legal action against the Islington Council because, as a devout Christian, she refuses to take part in gay and lesbian unions as required by her job.

The dispute with her employers is now set to be heard by an employment tribunal. It is believed to be the first case of its kind in the UK.

The UK legalised same-sex unions in December 2005 with the Civil Partnership Act.

The Islington Council issued a statement in which it said that, “A claim has been made to an employment tribunal which Islington Council is defending robustly. The council does not intend to comment further.”

The Islington Town Hall is said to be among the top three most popular locations to hold partnerships in the UK, having seen over 600 such ceremonies take place there.

In South Africa, officials at the Department of Home Affairs can request to be exempted from conducting same-sex unions if they request this in writing from the Minister.