Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 23:52:03 -0700 From: Ron Buckmire Subject: UK Prime Minister's Wife Representing Lesbian Before European Court Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 14:15:10 +0100 To: info@stonewall.org.uk From: Anya Palmer Press release from Stonewall 2 July 1997 LESBIANS GO TO EUROPE IN SEARCH OF EQUAL RIGHTS Advance notice A lesbian couple are going to the European Court of Justice next week to ask for equal rights at work. The couple, Lisa Grant and Jill Percey, claim that Lisa's employer South West Trains is in breach of European law on equal pay because it refuses to give Jill a travel pass as Lisa's partner. If Lisa were a man living with Jill, Jill would get the travel pass. Lisa Grant's case will be heard on Wednesday 9 July at the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg, at 10.30am. She will be represented by Cherie Booth QC. Besides South West Trains, the UK government will contest the case. If the couple win their case they will have established that sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sex discrimination. The European Court would then almost certainly rule in the case of Terry Perkins (who was dismissed from the Navy because he is gay) that it is unlawful to dismiss a person because of their sexual orientation. This would mean that the armed forces ban would be unlawful, discrimination by any public sector employer would be unlawful and the government would have to pass a law banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. ADVANCE PHOTO-OPPORTUNITY: Waterloo International, 9.30am, Monday 7 July. Lisa and Jill will be leaving on the Eurostar at 10.27am and will be available for photos between 9.30am and 10.00am by the escalator down to Waterloo International. ADVANCE INTERVIEWS: Lisa is not available for interview as her contract forbids her to talk to the press. Jill may be available for interview between now and Sunday. For further information, background briefing or interview requests please call Anya Palmer on 0171 336 8860. Stonewall 16 Clerkenwell Close London EC1R 0AA Tel. 0171 336 8860 Fax. 0171 336 8864 http://www.stonewall.org.uk ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe queerplanet * * To unsubscribe to QUEERPLANET, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe queerplanet * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************