A Christian Wetherspoons worker was sacked for discrimination after saying “God will forgive you” to a lesbian colleague during Pride weekend.
Thomas Richardson tried to sue the pub chain over his dismissal for gross misconduct because “we should live in a democratic society where people can speak and make choices freely.”
Richardson also said he did not want “the gay thing shoved down [his] throat”, an employment tribunal heard.
The incident took place on the weekend of Gay Pride when his colleague responded to Richardson’s comments saying: “I am not going to apologise for liking boobies.”
The incident took place on the weekend of Gay Pride in Norwich
PA
Employees informed their boss about the remarks before it was discovered that his Facebook profile contained “anti-woke” posts, where he compared the Black Lives Matter movement to a Marxist terrorist organisation.
Posts calling for Islam to be banned were also found.
Richardson, who was 21 at the time and autistic, took Wetherspoons to court but withdrew his claim of religious discrimination during the case as well as his claim of disability discrimination – which was disregarded by a judge.
The court heard his role at The Queen of Iceni pub was his first job and was described as a “good worker” who “got on well” with everybody.
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On July 30 last year, the annual Gay Pride parade in Norwich meant the pub was busier than usual.
When a colleague questioned what he thought of gay people, he said: “I am fine with them, I just don’t want the gay thing shoved down my throat.”
Later in August, Richardson said: “God will not forgive gay people,” to which a female colleague responded: “I’m not going to apologise for liking boobies.”
He then replied to his colleague saying: “God has forgiveness for everyone”.
The court heard he was challenged on why she had to apologise for being gay, when he said: “Maybe God will forgive you”.
Richardson, who was 21 at the time and autistic, took Wetherspoons to court but withdrew his claim of religious discrimination during the case as well as his claim of disability discrimination – which was disregarded by a judge
PA
Employment Judge Martin Warren said: “Telling somebody that God will forgive them, (or not) for being gay is harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation.
“It is unwanted conduct that can reasonably be perceived as creating the proscribed environment. The same may be said of the comment to the effect that one does not want Gay Pride rammed down one’s throat.”
He added: “One cannot simply ask employees to ignore homophobic insults because the person saying them is autistic.”
Dismissing his claims of disability claim, he said Richardson had been guilty of gross misconduct and pub’s decision to sack him was reasonable.
