An actor who lost her discrimination claims at an employment tribunal because of historical Facebook posts expressing her Christian convictions about homosexuality is appealing.
Actor Seyi Omooba (see photo) was a rising star in musical theatre when she accepted a role in a production of The Colour Purple, a novel by Alice Walker. The famous literary work includes lesbian themes involving the character Omooba was due to play.
However, it soon came to the theatre’s attention that Omooba had stated on Facebook years previously that homosexuality was sinful and Christians should stand up for their beliefs. Following mounting pressure, from those involved in the production itself (three key members of which were gay) and on social media, Omooba was eventually dropped from the production.
On her own evidence, Omooba had indicated that when she realised the role would require her to portray a lesbian relationship, she would have had to pull out – she recognised it was not the role for her, but she resisted leaving voluntarily.
After her dismissal, she brought a claim for unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation against the theatre and her agents on the basis of her religious beliefs. The tribunal rejected her claims, concluding that Omooba had not ‘done her homework’ before accepting the role. Had she read the script for the production, she would have seen she would have been required to portray a lesbian. That, as a Christian, went against her beliefs.
The tribunal said both it and the claimant accepted ‘that actors can play murderers, prostitutes or politicians, and still hold that murder, prostitution or a particular brand of politics are wrong’. Omooba would have played such roles but her ‘red line’ was she would not play a lesbian.
Omooba’s case is being supported by Christian Concern, which was co-founded by Omooba’s father, Pastor Ade Omooba.
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of Christian Concern, said: “If you are anything less than a true “ally” of “the community”, all you deserve is to have all professional doors slammed in your face.
‘Moreover, it is for you to prove you are a true ally. That includes, where necessary, a retraction of Christian beliefs, a convincing apology for them, and a show of hatred against every other dissenter. Such is the price of professional success in our times. Seyi refused to pay it.’
