CHURCH MUSIC TEACHER WINS CASE

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The Moreleta Park NG Kerk (Dutch Reformed Church) has been ordered to apologise and pay damages to a gay music teacher for firing him because of his sexuality.

Pretoria High Court Judge Dion Basson found that the church had unfairly discriminated against Johan Strydom.

He ruled that the church must pay Strydom almost R87 000 in damages and for loss of income. It must also offer an unconditional apology to the music lecturer.

Speaking on Talk Radio 702 Strydom said that he was very relieved. “I’m very happy about it.”

Asked if he felt there was any conflict between his sexuality and his former job teaching at the church’s arts academy Strydom replied that, “I am a homosexual Christian and I don’t have a problem with that.”

“The scope of this is bigger than just about homosexuality,” he said about the ruling which has been labelled a groundbreaking case.

Strydom, who now lives in Jeffreys Bay, was fired from the church’s arts academy in July 2005 after an anonymous caller told the church that he was gay.

He sued the church for the sum of R200 000 for damages related to loss of income and dignity in terms of the Promotion of Equity and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.

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