‘Colour Purple’ star appeals dismissal

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.