Ireland to end religious based discrimination against LGBT teachers and health workers

Legislation has been passed in Ireland to end almost two decades of discrimination against gay teachers and health workers in religious-operated institutions including schools and hospitals.

Passed under Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act in 1998, religious run institutions and organisations have been permitted to “take action” against gay teachers and employees who undermine their religious values.

But after a decade of campaigning by LGBT groups, under the revised bill the same institutions must now provide specific examples where the employee has already done damage to their organisational ethos.

Ireland Equality minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin confirmed plans to end LGBT discrimination in religious-run schools and hospitals, after revealing his intentions to do so back in January, Breaking News reports.

While speaking as marriage equality came into force in Ireland, he tweeted:

“As marriage equality becomes a reality today, on Wednesday we amend [Section 37] to end LGBT and other discrimination in schools and hospitals.”

As marriage equality becomes a reality today, on Wednesday we amend #Section37 to end LGBT & other discrimination in schools & hospitals.

— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD (@AodhanORiordain) November 16, 2015

“The aim is to raise the bar, so that religious run schools and hospitals will have to show real damage to their ethos, are precluded from discrimination on any of the other equality grounds and that any action taken is reasonable and proportionate.”