A London-based nurse who told a coworker that ‘gay people should abstain from sex‘ and that ‘marriage can only exist between a man and woman‘ has been cleared to return to work. A panel ruled that she has the right to express that belief and has ‘no case to answer.‘ Natasha Arpana Addington is a Christian nurse at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.
The incident started when she and her lesbian colleague, known only as Colleague A, discussed LGBTQ participation in the church. Ms. Addington told her coworker that “the bible says same-sex relationships are sinful, and for Colleague A to choose to live in that way is choosing to live a sinful life.” She also made comments on colleague A’s upcoming marriage.
She said this “was not a marriage and that can only be between a man and a woman“. She allegedly added: “I don’t believe gay people should have the right to marry, and the laws of this country used to be based on the Bible, and that’s the way it should be… I urge you to talk to Jesus as he loves all his children it’s not the sinner he hates, but the sin.”
Incensed by this conversation, the colleague reported her to the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) last month, however, a disciplinary panel dismissed all charges. The NMC’s own lawyers offered no evidence and said the decision was incorrect. The NMC affirmed Ms. Addington’s right to freedom of expression in a democratic society.
The NMC released a statement that said it “did not act in a way that would cause harm to the public” and that this was a private conversation between colleagues. It was heard Ms Addington treated patients in her care with “respect and professionalism“, and never treated Colleague A “less favorably or treated her differently due to her sexuality“.
Colleague A had also raised a grievance with the Imperial College Healthcare Trust for discrimination. She stated that the conversation “made her feel shocked, insulted, invalidated her sexuality, hurt and discriminated against“. The Christian Nurse denied the charge and affirmed she would never discriminate against someone because of their homosexuality. She bravely defended her right to her beliefs.
She said in a written statement that there was a discussion about same-sex relationships. Ms. Addington noted that the Bible teaches that it is not right for people to be attracted to the same sex” and for sex outside of marriage. She also clarified that “people attracted to the same sex should abstain from following that attraction” and that “the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman”, adding that “this was her personal belief”.
During her hearing, the nurse said “At the time I believed I was having a conversation with a colleague with whom I was on very friendly terms. We were having a consensual conversation where we held differing views, but views that could coexist and be mutually respected.” She went on to say “At no point did [Colleague A] show any signs of distress and I believed we were having a reasonable exchange which I expected to end with both our respective positions and our relationship intact. […] There were no patients, visitors or colleagues involved.”