27 Jan 2014

Hong Kong Christian School Threatens Gay and Transgender Staff with Disciplinary Action

A Hong Kong newspaper has unearthed a discriminatory code of ethics implemented by an Internationl School in Hong Kong.

 

Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao Daily has revealed discriminatory laid down by the International Christian School in a letter sent to all staff by Headmaster, John Nelson. The letter encourages staff to adhere to ethical Christian values both on and off campus.
It is understood that staff at the Christian School, which runs from kindergarten to High School and with over 1000 pupils, were made to sign the declaration entitled ‘Standards of Biblical Ethics and Integrity’ last year.
In a list of ‘activities and choices that may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of service, and/or legal action,’ there is one bullet point for ‘unethical’ sexualities.
It reads, 'Engaging in any form of homosexuality, fornication, transvestitism, bestiality, alternative gender identity, pornographic addiction, or any other sexual behavior that violates biblical purity or the marriage covenant between man and woman’
The school has received widespread condemnation from the LGBT community. Gay lawmaker Ray Chan Chi-chuen said that it was an insult to gays that homosexuality is listed together with bestiality. 
The case also highlights Hong Kong’s lack of legislation to deal with such discrimination. Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission is pushing for discrimination to be outlawed by the Government has been slow to react.
John Nelson or the International Christian School are yet to comment.

Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao Daily has revealed discriminatory laid down by the International Christian School in a letter sent to all staff by Headmaster, John Nelson. The letter encourages staff to adhere to ethical Christian values both on and off campus.

It is understood that staff at the Christian School, which runs from kindergarten to High School and with over 1000 pupils, were made to sign the declaration entitled ‘Standards of Biblical Ethics and Integrity’ last year.

In a list of ‘activities and choices that may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of service, and/or legal action,’ there is one bullet point for ‘unethical’ sexualities.

It reads, 'Engaging in any form of homosexuality, fornication, transvestitism, bestiality, alternative gender identity, pornographic addiction, or any other sexual behavior that violates biblical purity or the marriage covenant between man and woman’

The school has received widespread condemnation from the LGBT community. Gay lawmaker Ray Chan Chi-chuen said that it was an insult to gays that homosexuality is listed together with bestiality. 

The case also highlights Hong Kong’s lack of legislation to deal with such discrimination. Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunities Commission is pushing for discrimination to be outlawed by the Government has been slow to react.

John Nelson or the International Christian School are yet to comment.