‘LGBTQ+ relationships exist, so they shouldn’t be hidden’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

In MetroTalk: Should personal religious beliefs exempt school staff from teaching LGBTQ topics?

Oct 6, 2024 - 17:44

‘LGBTQ+ relationships exist, so they shouldn’t be hidden’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

Christian school worker Kristie Higgs outside the Royal Courts Of Justice in London, where the Court of Appeal is hearing her challenge against dismissal after she claimed she was sacked because of her religious beliefs. Higgs, 47, was dismissed for gross misconduct by Farmor's School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 2019 after sharing Facebook posts criticising plans to teach LGBT+ relationships in primary schools. Picture date: Wednesday October 2, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS Christian. Photo credit should read: Lucy North/PA Wire — Kristie Higgs was a teaching assistant at a comprehensive school (Credits: Lucy North/PA Wire)

Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.

Why did she work in a secular school in the first place?

Regarding Christian school assistant Kristie Higgs who says she faced discrimination after being fired for criticising plans to teach about LGBTQ+ relationships (Metro, Thu).

If a teacher or assistant disagrees with LGBTQ+ relationships, he or she doesn’t need to be in one. But they do exist, and this fact shouldn’t be hidden.

If she was one of those Christians who believed alcohol was sinful, would she take a job in an off-licence, refuse to sell wine or beer, and cry ‘discrimination’ for being dismissed? M Reader, London

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Cheap beer vow proved the rule

Researchers Say Reducing The Measure Of A Pint Of Beer In The UK Could Improve Public Health — That’s at least a tenner – in London anyway (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Mike’s ‘cynical lawyer friend’ was right in saying most government legislation results in the opposite of what it intended (MetroTalk, Wed).

In 1989, the government imposed huge changes on the brewing industry, which it said would lead to lower prices. Most of the major companies sold out to foreign brewers, thousands of pubs closed and the average price of beer in
a pub soared. Well done, government! John, London

Melania’s courage

First Lady Melania Trump Marks Recovery Month At The White House — Melania Trump’s position on abortion is at odds with her husband Donald Trump (Picture: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Well done, Melania Trump, for standing up for the rights of women to have abortions, in a move that sets her against what husband Donald is saying.

I never thought she would have the courage to stand on her own two feet. Grace, Hazlemere

It’s all you can eat – nor all you can throw away

I’m in total agreement with Mark Graham, boss of The Star Inn at Vogue, near Redruth, who charges punters extra if they leave food from their all-you-can-eat meal (Metro, Fri).

It’s sheer greed. I told my children when we went to such restaurants they could go up as many times as they liked but only to take what they could eat.

I hate food waste. Maybe next time the lady who complained about Mark’s policy goes for a meal, she can think of the millions of starving people as she watches her food scraped into a bin. Sharon, London

Is the shift from staff to AI corporate greed?

I completely agree with Mark in Staines (MetroTalk, Fri) and others who say an over-reliance on technology is leaving people unable to access services or get help from businesses.

Corporate greed runs this country and is why so many companies rely on machines as opposed to staff – because they don’t have to pay a machine wages.

It is the same reason the banks are pushing for a cashless society – to move to an online-only model, close all branches and sack staff so they don’t have to pay them or rent properties.

So long as the public insist on tapping their phone or card for everything, things will only get worse, with more people losing their job to a machine. Diana, Brighton

Not everyone has a smart phone

Good luck clicking a link on that (Credits: Getty Images/Glowimages RF)

My sister has been waiting for an operation for more than 18 months. She rang the hospital and was told a link had been sent to her via her mobile phone. Although she is computer-savvy, she prefers not to have a smartphone and so did not get the link.

The hospital duly emailed it to her, but if she didn’t have access to a computer,  I assume the operation would have been allocated to someone else.

Government bodies should be aware that not all mobiles are smartphones and perhaps follow up with a letter. Geraldine, Islington

Not everyone works a job that uses a computer either

Marianne (MetroTalk, Thu) says not all pensioners can master modern technology and that she taught much younger staff how to use new software.

How lucky that she had a nice warm office in which to master the intricacies of computers.

As a bricklayer working outside all year, often wet and/or frozen, neither  I nor my colleagues had access to computers – only picks and shovels etc.

Now in my late 80s, I feel it’s far too late to for me to learn how to deal with all the problems that computers seem capable of throwing my way.

Emails, OK. Anything else, no chance. Keith Dutton, Rotherham

Funny announcers

The comment from Sarah (MetroTalk, Fri) about pleasant announcements at a railway station reminded me that some years ago an announcer on the rail network became famous for his humourous announcements. These included, ‘I’m not saying the Brighton train is running late but copies of War And Peace are available in the bookshop.’ Linda, Harrogate

Those who need it get the winter fuel allowance

Regarding C and C Achard (MetroTalk, Thu), who are in their 70s and support axing the winter fuel allowance to those not receiving pension credit.

Hear hear! We all know the vast majority of pensioners do not need this money. Most see it as a Christmas ‘bonus’ to spend on fags, booze and scratch cards.

Luckily, those who need it still get it. So let’s draw a line under this policy, move forward together and clear up the mess the Tories left us with. Green Dave, Manchester

Julian (MetroTalk, Wed) wonders what make-up Oasis use. How about Cigarettes & L’Oréal or Digsy’s Dior? Jane, Liverpool

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