Today’s landmark supreme court case is a win for everyone

The Iona Institute NI welcomes the unanimous decision by the UK supreme court which today ruled that the McArthur family did not discriminate against a gay rights activist in politely refusing to ice a cake with the slogan ‘support gay marriage’.

According to Tracy Harkin, spokesperon for the Iona Institute NI, “This case pursued  by the equality commission which cost N.Ireland taxpayers £360,000, was  deliberately framed  as an LGBT rights issue”.

“As the judgement today  clearly  highlighted however, the  McArthurs’ objection was not to Mr Lee himself, but to being required to write a political slogan”.

“The McArthurs have maintained all along that they did not refuse to serve Mr Lee because he was gay or because he supported gay marriage.Their objection was to supply a cake iced with a message with which they profoundly disagreed”.

“The rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion are the hallmark of any genuinely  pluralist and democratic society.No one should ever be forced to express a political opinion they disagree with”.

“We hope this incredibly important ruling will not only send a clear message regarding the misuse of equality law but importantly help to protect against the spectre of compelled speech in N.I. and throughout the UK”.

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For further info contact

Tracy Harkin

Office: 028 92 646861

Mobile: 07531149891

Email: ionainstituteni@gmail.com