Faith and sexuality are “protected characteristics”. What does that mean?
I would guess it is code language for “my religious beliefs and my sexual preferences are not allowed to be critiqued”. Every culture has its taboos, and questioning the relativism of contemporary western culture is now taboo.
A ‘protected characteristic’ is a technical term in UK Law under the Equality Act, 2010. Such characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. If you have one or more of these characteristics the Act entitles you to particular protection against discrimination.
Incidentally, this event at Swansea appears to be entirely the idea of the University Chaplaincy, the Students Union and the Staff LGBT+ organisation. Not the Church in Wales. Though no doubt CinW Bishops would be supportive and enthusiastic if asked about it.
The question being presented is actually quite a reasonable one. It would be great if the conversation could turn to how both “characteristics” can be equally and fully protected rather than “faith” being trampled by “sexuality” if the two ever come into conflict, and be fairly and openly discussed? I wonder if the university chaplaincy will advocate for people of faith where that faith is proscriptive about sexuality?
Faith and sexuality are “protected characteristics”. What does that mean?
I would guess it is code language for “my religious beliefs and my sexual preferences are not allowed to be critiqued”. Every culture has its taboos, and questioning the relativism of contemporary western culture is now taboo.
A ‘protected characteristic’ is a technical term in UK Law under the Equality Act, 2010. Such characteristics are: age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. If you have one or more of these characteristics the Act entitles you to particular protection against discrimination.
Incidentally, this event at Swansea appears to be entirely the idea of the University Chaplaincy, the Students Union and the Staff LGBT+ organisation. Not the Church in Wales. Though no doubt CinW Bishops would be supportive and enthusiastic if asked about it.
The question being presented is actually quite a reasonable one. It would be great if the conversation could turn to how both “characteristics” can be equally and fully protected rather than “faith” being trampled by “sexuality” if the two ever come into conflict, and be fairly and openly discussed? I wonder if the university chaplaincy will advocate for people of faith where that faith is proscriptive about sexuality?