Church 'fired me because I am gay'

A tearful gay music lecturer who was given the boot by the Dutch Reformed Church in Moreleta Park has told the Pretoria high court he was fired because of his sexual orientation.

Johan Strydom, 31, is claiming more than R100 000 from the church - R16 758 for loss of income for 2005, R35 000 for estimated loss of income for the following year and R50 000 for the impairment of his dignity.

He is also demanding an apology from the church.

The church, on the other hand, maintains that homosexuality is a sin and condemned by the church.Church 'fired me because I am gay'
Independent Online, South Africa