The UK’s equality watchdog has said ‘gender-critical’ beliefs must be robustly protected by the courts.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) was commenting ahead of an employment appeal ruling between Maya Forstater and her former employer which has now concluded.
Forstater, a tax specialist and researcher, brought a discrimination claim after the Center for Global Development (CGD) refused to renew her contract after she published a number of ‘trans-critical’ Tweets, including: ‘Male people are not women’.
The employment judge decided her belief was ‘not worthy of respect in a democratic society’ and not protected under equality laws. The EHRC intervened in her appeal, seeking clarification as to how equality and human-rights law applies in the area of freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
The EHRC said it was concerned the ET’s ruling could leave people unprotected against discrimination and harassment because they hold controversial beliefs. However, it said even if the Employment Appeal Tribunal decides Forstater’s beliefs are protected, the way in which they were expressed might not be.
A ruling is expected in the coming months.
