SYDNEY, Australia, Dec 19 (LSN) – Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) ruled Thursday that the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney illegally discriminated against a lesbian teacher when it refused to certify her as a teacher in Catholic schools. Homosexual activist Jacqui Griffin brought the case forward claiming that the Catholic Education Office had refused her application for certification in 1993. The refusal was prompted by Griffin's public profile as co-founder of the Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association.
Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti ruled that “the practice complained of constitutes discrimination under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.” Although the HREOC does not have the authority to enforce its decisions by law, Sidoti demanded that the archdiocese approve Griffin's application for certification to teach in Catholic schools.