Justice is served.
A U.K. Court of Appeal recently ruled in favor of Kristie Higgs, a former school counseling assistant, who had been dismissed from her job for expressing concerns about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ content in primary school education.
Higgs, a 48-year-old Christian mother of two, had worked at Farmor’s School in Gloucestershire for seven years before her termination in 2019. Her dismissal came after she shared her concerns on Facebook about the LGBTQ+ material being taught at her son’s Church of England primary school.
The Court of Appeal reversed a previous employment tribunal ruling that upheld the school’s decision to terminate Higgs. The judges emphasized that the ruling was significant not only for free speech but also for the protection of religious freedom. Higgs expressed that the judgment was a victory for individuals to express their beliefs without fear of workplace repercussions.
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which supported Higgs during her legal battle, hailed the decision as a “groundbreaking” shift in religious discrimination law. The court’s ruling asserts that traditional Christian beliefs on social issues, such as opposing transgender ideologies and same-sex marriage, are protected under the Equality Act.
The judgment clarified that employers must demonstrate that dismissing an employee for expressing their religious beliefs is legally justified, proportionate, and necessary in a democratic society. The court found that the school had no evidence that Higgs’ posts harmed its reputation, noting that the posts were shared on her personal Facebook page and did not directly reference the school.
The court also ruled that even if some might find the language used in Higgs’ posts objectionable, her dismissal was an excessive response. The judges emphasized that there had been no complaints about her work performance, and no evidence suggested that her posts led to reputational damage for the school.
Higgs expressed gratitude for the Court of Appeal’s decision, which she believes protects the right to express Christian beliefs in public discourse. She acknowledged the support of the Christian Legal Centre, her family, and friends and emphasized that expressing biblical truths is an act of love, not discrimination.
The case originated in 2018 when Higgs, concerned about books promoting gender identity issues in schools, shared posts on Facebook highlighting her opposition to the inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics in the curriculum. After an anonymous complaint, she was summoned to a meeting with school officials, leading to her suspension and subsequent dismissal for what the school deemed “gross misconduct.”
Despite an initial ruling against her in 2019, Higgs’ successful appeal led to the Court of Appeal’s landmark decision in February 2025, which sets an important precedent for the protection of free speech and religious expression in the workplace.