SA music teacher, fired for being gay, sues church for bias. What do you think?

Johan Strydom, 31, instituted a R100,000 [about $13,000 USD] damages claim for loss of income and the impairment of his dignity with the congregation after they abruptly terminated his services as a music lecturer at the church’s arts academy in July 2005.

He is also demanding an apology from the church.

The church, on the other hand, maintains that homosexuality is a sin and condemned by the church.

Strydom testified that he has suffered emotionally, physically and spiritually after his dismissal, and that he was diagnosed with depression. As a result, he moved to his family's home in Jeffreys Bay where he's currently doing part-time work. His relationship has also been tested, as his life partner of eight years, had to stay behind.

He told the court he had refused to discuss his sexual orientation with the church after being informed that he must attend a meeting to discuss the issue. This was after the church had received an anonymous call from a man who told them Strydom had gay relationships.

Strydom said he felt his sexual orientation had nothing to do with the quality of his work. He was a music lecturer and not a spiritual leader, The Citizen reports.

"Sexual orientation is a small part of a person. I cannot see why a person should be reduced to sexual orientation," he said.

"I cannot change.

"People should be made aware that we are also human beings with feelings.

"People stereotype gay persons, but we’re just normal people,” Strydom said.

Strydom said the church had held a seminar on the subject of homosexuality shortly before he was fired. He did not attend but when he looked at the program afterwards he noticed that all the speakers spoke against homosexuality "and the other side of the coin never featured", Independent Online reports.

The church responded in court papers that the academy was closed down six months after Strydom's dismissal. They also said that the academy was based on Christian religion and that Strydom -- who was in a leadership position -- had to set a good example.

The church asserted that Strydom knew very well that for as long as he was in an active homosexual relationship and was not prepared to admit his sin and to live a celibate lifestyle, he did not qualify for any position in the church.

The church's manager, Derrick Bartie, testified that there was never an agreement with Strydom to work fulltime at the church.

Bartie said they agreed to use Strydom from time to time and that he was paid on an hourly basis. He denied that Strydom was fired but said the church had chosen not to pursue the agreement further, Independent Online reports.

Source: Church 'fired me because I am gay' | Independent Online
Organist sues church for prejudice | SABC News
Gay man sues church | Citizen