Discrimination rejected

Press, 7 December 1987, Page 6

Discrimination rejected

PA Wellington The Human Rights Commission has rejected a complaint of religious discrimination made against the Victoria University newspaper, “Salient” by a Christian counselling group, New Image. The newspaper refused to accept an advertisement from New Image which offered to counsel homosexuals out of their sexual preference. A New Image spokesman, Noel Mosen, said the group would help people out of the gay lifestyle if they wanted to. “Salient’s” policy was that people should be free to choose their own sexual orientation without fear of social restraint or attitudes. lit a letter to “Salient” the Human Rights Commission said Mr Mosen complained , the refusal was unlawful religious discrimination agajprt New Image.

The commission considered the complaint had no substance noting “Salient’s” policy of rejecting any advertisement which implied homosexuality was a non-desirable state. It was clear to the commission that any advertisment not complying with this policy would be rejected regardless of the religious beliefs of the person or organisation seeking to Insert it.

Mr Mosen was not discriminated against because of his religious beliefs, the commission said. They were not the reason the advertisement was rejected.

“Salient’s” editor for 1987, Grant O’Neill, said he hoped New Image now understood his position and did not think he had been discriminating against „ them because of their religious beliefs. Mr Mosen could not be contacted for cwnment last evening. J,