NZ gay claims discrimination by Anglican church

In stark contrast to the vice president of Zambia, a prospective Anglican priest in New Zealand is taking on the church claiming discrimination. He spent 6 years studying to become a priest (each to their own I guess darlings) and in the end was rejected because he was in a gay relationship. Apparently you have to be either married to a woman or celibate.

Eugene Sisneros has described his hurt and humiliation after allegedly being rejected for a priest training programme because he was in a same-sex relationship. 

A Human Rights Tribunal hearing into the alleged discrimination opened at Auckland District court today. 

Mr Sisneros is taking the Anglican Bishop of Auckland to the tribunal, claiming he was barred because of his sexuality - a claim the bishop has denied, saying he was simply following the church's doctrines. 

Mr Sisneros said his rejection from the programme has had long-term effects. 

"I am deeply affected by this discrimination as a human being. I am not equal. 

"My feelings of humiliation and disappointment continue to this day,'' he told the hearing. NZ Herald

Of course I dunno how the Human Rights Tribunal in NZ will decide in this, but it is an indication of how far ahead Kiwis are than Australia in respect of gays. I can't imagine anybody here coming forward like that claiming discrimination. In fact as the laws stand here, the churches can legally discriminate against whoever they like.