BHA responds to High Court judgement in bus adverts case

The High Court has today ruled that Transport for London (TfL) was acting lawfully in banning the Core Issues Trust’s proposed advert because it would “cause grave offence” to those who were gay. The judge ruled Boris Johnson did not abuse his position as chairman of TfL when he imposed the ban. The British Humanist Association welcome the decision.

Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association commenting on the High Court ruling said ‘The Mayor of London was right to ban the anti gay bus adverts because using TfL advertising space to promote a ‘cure’ from being gay carries the implication of homosexuality being a disease and this lacks any foundation in scientific fact.

These practices have been condemned by the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as in the recent judgement by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.  These so-called treatments can also be extremely harmful, especially when they are applied to vulnerable individuals.’

Notes

For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanism.org.uk or on 0773 843 5059.

The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.