Barry Duke, the Angry Atheist

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A DISCRIMINATION CASE brought against Leicester theatre company Curve in 2019 has culminated in a High Court order that makes Seyi Omooba, above, liable for legal costs of more than £300,000—but there’s little sympathy for her beneath a report carried today (Sunday) by the The Christian Post.

Readers of the US outlet, on learning that Omooba, 29, had been dismissed for homophobic social media comments that led to her removal from the role of a lesbian—Celie—in the stage version of The Color Purple, homed in on the fact that the actress hadn’t read the script before accepting the role.

She said she would not have accepted the role of a lesbian.

“Desciple of God” wrote:

So she didn’t read the script, accepted the role, then realized what she signed up for and got upset and tried to sue, then lost and has to pay all of their legal fees. Lol, really high IQ person we’re reading about here. I doubt she comprehends this is God punishing her.

Jacob Miller added:

… If you do hate the gays, going into the theater is a really dumb career move. Get a job at Hobby Lobby.

When the case began Omooba claimed she was unaware of the character’s sexual orientation.

Her legal challenge, supported by the Christian Legal Centre against the theatre and her former agents was dismissed, with an employment tribunal emphasising her lack of preparation and understanding of the role.

After losing her first case, further appeals were lodged before the matter went to the High Court.

If you imagine that the curtain has finally dropped on this case, think again. Omooba’s legal representatives said there would be a further appeal.

According to the BBC, Andrea Minichiello Williams, above, Chief Executive of the centre which loses for more cases than it ever wins, said:

Seyi was racially abused, received death threats and was hounded out of her career for a polite and temperate expression of what the Bible says about marriage. An unjust ruling which defends her sacking cannot stand and we will be taking this to the Court of Appeal.

Following the latest ruling, in a statement through her legal representatives Omooba, the daughter of a pastor, said:

I have long forgiven all those who have sought to ruin my theatre career, but the theatre world needs to be told, loud and clear, that cancelling people for their Christian beliefs is illegal and wrong.

In a statement, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said:

We are pleased the employment appeal tribunal (EAT) has robustly rejected all Seyi Omooba’s appeals against the tribunal decision of 2021 against Curve and Global Artists.

We very much hope all parties can finally close the chapter on this matter and move forward. As always, we politely ask people to be kind and respectful across all social media when passing comment on the case.

Hat tip: BarrieJohn

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