Campaigner backs church gay marriage critic

Father-of-two Adrian Smith, aged 54, from Bolton, was given a £14,000 pay cut by the Trafford Housing Trust following the online row.

Mr Smith, who attends the evangelical Salt Church in Bolton, is now suing the Trust for £50,000 in loss of earnings.

He has also found an unlikely supporter in the form of Peter Tatchell, director of human rights organisation the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Mr Tatchell, a prominent campaigner on gay and lesbian issues, said: “His opposition to religious organisations being forced to conduct same-sex marriages is shared by the Prime Minister and the Equality Minister, the gay rights group Stonewall and the entire leadership of the Church of England. If Mr Smith is guilty, then they SPEAKING OUT Peter Tatchell who is supporting Adrian Smith, right who was demoted after expressing his views on Facebook Should Mr Smith’s demotion be revoked?

are all guilty. Mr Smith voiced his opinion in a calm, non-abusive manner. He was not threatening or intimidating.”

Mr Smith posted a link to an online news story with the headline “Gay church ‘marriage’ to get go-ahead”, then added his own comment: “An equality too far.”

He added: “I don’t understand why people who don’t believe in Christ would want to get hitched in church . . . the state shouldn’t impose its rules on places of faith and conscience.”

Mr Tatchell added: “In a democratic society, he has a right to express his point of view, even if it is misguided and wrong.

“Freedom of speech should only be limited or penalised in extreme circumstances.

I urge Trafford Housing Trust to revoke his demotion and salary cut.”

The Trust said Mr Smith had breached the company’s code of conduct and other policies by making comments on a Facebook page which also showed he was an employee of the company.

A spokesman added: “Mr Smith was disciplined for his breach of company policy.

The Trust made no comment about any personal beliefs that he holds.”