Christian Horizon's and the loss of associational rights

The Christian Horizon's case is wending its way through the courts. Here's what's at stake. Evangelical Fellowship of Canada associate legal counsel Faye Sonier poses and interesting scenario over at her blog:

Imagine a not-for-profit bookstore set up by a group in the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) community. The bookstore carries all different kinds of books, but has an expansive collection of GLBT literature. The bookstore is open to the general public. One of the reasons for the existence of the store is that those who have set it up want to expose the general public to more gay literature. However, as a condition of employment at the store, all employees must sign a statement that they join forces with the GLBT community in opposition to hetero-sexism, homophobia, the institution of patriarchy and social constructs that emphasize hetero-normality. The statement also requires employees to join forces with the GLBT community in support of the right to consensual love, free expression of gender and sexual diversity, queer families and same-sex marriage.

In light of the Heintz decision however, this bookstore cannot be primarily serving the interests of both the GLBT community and the interests of the general public. And because this bookstore is open to the public and does not discriminate on the basis of creed, race or sexual orientation, they are no longer granted the protection of section 24(1)(a). The bookstore may not impose a statement of belief as a condition of employment. Nor can they demonstrate that requiring the signing of this document is, in an objective sense, rationally connected to the work itself.

An Evangelical Christian applies for a job at the store. She is opposed to gay marriage and is intent on providing a second opinion to the bookstore’s customers on what homosexuality is all about. When she refuses to sign the employment statement, the bookstore is given a choice: it may compromise its identity, or it can close its doors.

It’s something to think about, isn’t it? I wonder how those other groups are going to feel once they realize their associational rights have been stripped away.

All people of good will, gay or straight, religious or non-religious, need to understand how important it is to defend our fundamental freedoms.