For all the progress the European Union has made on queer rights, it seems that they are slipping lately. First, there was last month’s announcement by the EU Commission that European Union citizens will not be protected from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Now, the European Commission has confirmed that church shcools can fire openly (or closeted) queer teachers, according to Trade union groups in the Republic of Ireland. 

Under the Employment Equality Act, religious schools can dismiss homosexual teachers. Section 37 of the Act states that schools that promote certain religious values can take action “to prevent an employee from undermining the religious ethos of the institution.”

The European Commission initially warned that the provision was not compatible with EU anti-discrimination legislation, but has now changed its mind after the Irish government argued that it was a narrow exception to equal treatment.

Teaching unions fear the law could be used to sack teachers who are homosexual, even if they are not open about their sexuality in schools.

Source: PinkNews