On this day: Christian care home wins ‘gay rights’ battle against Brighton Council

On 22 January 2009, a Brighton care home for elderly Christians won back thousands of pounds of funding withdrawn by the local council because of its biblical beliefs on homosexuality.

Pilgrim Homes (now the Pilgrims’ Friend Society) the 215-year-old Christian charity that runs the home, had taken legal action against the council for religious discrimination after strenuous attempts to resolve the matter were rebuffed.

But on this day 13 years ago, Brighton and Hove City Council backed down and promised to restore funding used to support a warden, which it had pulled after accusing the care home of “institutionalised homophobia”.

The case was backed by The Christian Institute.

‘Homophobia’ accusation withdrawn

The Council wanted the care home to ask Christian residents in their 80s and 90s about their sexual orientation every three months, use images of homosexuals in its promotional literature and show a Stonewall presentation on ‘gay rights’ to staff.

Managers at the care home explained that to comply with the demands would unduly distress the elderly residents and undermine the home’s Christian ethos.

The settlement saw funding restored and the allegation of “institutional homophobia” withdrawn. The requirement to ask residents about their ‘sexual orientation’ four times a year was also dropped. However, the Council made no contribution towards Pilgrim Homes’ £21,000 legal costs which were covered by The Christian Institute’s Legal Defence Fund.

‘Inappropriate and intrusive’

At the time Pilgrim Homes said: “There was a strong feeling among people in the home that the questions were inappropriate and intrusive”.

“We are a Christian organisation for older Christians, and our chief concern has always been to protect their best interests. Many have been missionaries or pastors, and when they come into residential care or even sheltered housing they deserve the peace, comfort and security of an organisation that supports their dearly-held religious beliefs.

a total disregard and lack of respect for orthodox Christian beliefs and values

“We do not think our Brighton home – and others like it – should be denied access to public funding just because of those beliefs.”

Tom Ellis of Ai Law, solicitors for Pilgrim Homes, said the council had shown “a total disregard and lack of respect for orthodox Christian beliefs and values” when it decided to cut the funding.

“Pilgrim Homes has a right to provide its services within the context of its doctrinal belief without interference from the council.”

Changes

Pilgrim Homes became part of the newly-formed Pilgrims’ Friend Society in April 2010.

The Brighton home closed in December 2019.