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| Christian loses sex therapy case | Christian loses sex therapy case |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A relationship counsellor from Bristol who refused to offer sex therapy to gay couples has lost his appeal for unfair dismissal. | A relationship counsellor from Bristol who refused to offer sex therapy to gay couples has lost his appeal for unfair dismissal. |
| Christian Gary MacFarlane, 47, was sacked by marriage guidance service Relate after he said he could not do anything to promote gay sex. | |
| Mr MacFarlane, who is a former church elder, was appealing on the grounds of religious discrimination. | Mr MacFarlane, who is a former church elder, was appealing on the grounds of religious discrimination. |
| He alleged Relate had refused to accommodate his religious beliefs. | He alleged Relate had refused to accommodate his religious beliefs. |
| Mr MacFarlane started training with Relate in May 2003 and said he enjoyed good relationships with clients and colleagues. | |
| He was suspended after meetings with his manager, in October 2007, in which he claimed he was asked to state his views regarding same-sex couples. | |
| After the suspension was lifted he said he was labelled a "homophobe" and, following a further disciplinary hearing, was dismissed on March 18. |