Shop Refuses To Print Posters For LGBT+ Group, Gets Fined
The Beersheba Magistrate’s Court in Israel has fined a shop, ironically called Rainbow Colour, after it refused to print posters for an LGBT+ club, and has been ordered to pay legal fees, reports ‘Gay Times’.
Rainbow Colour was fined with 50,000 NIS (roughly the equivalent to £11,480).
The lawsuit was filed by the Aguda Association for LGBT+ Equality in Israel, after Rainbow Colour rejected the posters, saying: “We do not deal with abomination materials. We are Jews!”
Although the Prohibition of Discrimination in Products, Services and Entry into Places of Entertainment and Public Places Law Act was passed in 2000, banning discrimination within businesses, Rainbow Colour argues that the LGBT+ group was a violation of religious law, claiming that puts them well within their rights to refuse service.
In her ruling, Judge Orit Lipshitz, wrote: “The court does not seek to enter into the consciousness of service providers… when it comes to their subjective opinions with regard to others.
“The legislature also does not seek to interfere with the freedom of religion and worship reserved for them as human beings. When their beliefs conflict with a necessity of providing service to all in a public space, the last value holds superior.”
The ruling was praised by the CEO of Aguda, Ohad Hizki, who said: “It is unacceptable for a business that provides a public service to decide to discriminate against an entire population of Israeli society simply because of its sexual orientation or gender identity.”
He added: “To this day, thousands of companies and community members suffer discrimination, hatred and violence just because of who they are.
“We applaud this clear and just ruling that prohibits unfair discrimination and [will] continue to fight for anyone and everyone to receive full equality of rights.”
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