Madam, – Those calling for a so-called conscience opt-out clause in the upcoming Civil Partnership Bill would have us place certain religious beliefs above the law of the land. Civil registrars and others who provide a service to the public are rightfully required to perform their duties in a fair and impartial manner and leave any personal prejudices, homophobic or otherwise, at the door.
As a gay man, I find calls to facilitate such blatant discrimination based on sexuality obnoxious and offensive. But an opt-out would also be impractical. Would, for example, a Muslim supermarket worker who objects to handling alcohol or a Christian fundamentalist judge who opposes divorce be allowed a similar derogation from their duties? And if not, why not? Or is it a case that supporters of a civil partnership opt-out believe that bigotry against gay people deserves to be awarded a special status under the law? – Yours, etc,