Church 'fired me because I am gay'
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On July 16 2005 his supervisor, Janie de Bruin, called him to a meeting with the congregation manager.
He asked De Bruin about the meeting and she told him "if this is not true we will laugh about it and then forget about it".
De Bruin told him the church had heard he was gay.
"She said she had received an anonymous telephone call from someone telling her I was in a homosexual relationship.
"I admitted this, but I told her I was not going to discuss my sexual orientation with anyone," Strydom said.
He told De Bruin he was not going to attend the meeting as he did not want to discuss the issue. De Bruin, had told him, however, she knew what the outcome of the meeting would be if he did not attend.
Strydom told Judge Dion Basson he suspected at that stage what the church's stance was regarding homosexuals as a gay colleague had told him she too was facing the boot if she did not receive therapy at the church's counselling centre.
Strydom said the church had earlier that year held a seminar on the subject of homosexuality. He did not attend but when he looked at the programme afterwards he noticed that all the speakers spoke against homosexuality "and the other side of the coin never featured".
"This left me with the impression that they were totally against homosexuality. I was a music lecturer and not a member of the congregation.
"I could not see why I had to tell them about my homosexuality. It is my personal life which has nothing to do with my employer," he said.
Strydom said he received a message from the congregation manager a few days later, stating that his services were of a very high quality, but that he needed to discuss his sexual orientation with the church. He was fired shortly afterwards.
The church's manager, Derrick Bartie, said there was never an agreement with Strydom to work fulltime at the church.
Bartie said they agreed to use Strydom from time to time and that he was paid on an hourly basis. He denied that Strydom was fired but said the church had chosen not to pursue the agreement further.
o This article was originally published on page 3 of Pretoria News on August 12, 2008
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Lovely how therapy seems to be a possible "Cure" by some.
I find this part funny mainly because my first REAL lover at 16 had a similar experience. We were living in his house, sharing his bedroom- and bed for that matter. His parents chose not to see reality. His dad thought we should have "Bunk-beds" LOL.
After coming out in an argument with his dad (Yelling at the top of the stairs as his his dad was downstairs) "I'm Gay", then slamming his bedroom door they thought it best for him, too go to a therapist for this.
Oddly enough, the therapist turned out to be gay as well! I'll leave that at that, or perhaps start another topic about funny coming out stories etc.!
Anyways, When my mom got married for the second time, we were pretty sure our pastor was Gay. This was confirmed when he was invited to the reception- he was told he could "Bring a friend". Well, sure enough that friend was more flamboyant than him. Maybe they WERE just "Friends" lol. In more ways than one!
Nobody at our church seemed to really have any problem with his Lifestyle, so long as he performed his duties appropriately of course and did not get caught in some scandal.
This guy was not caught in any scandal, he didn't make out in front of the church or display any inappropriate behavior- why was he fired? Pure hatred, one's inability for acceptance, and ignorance.
Funny how when a minister, priest, etc. allegedly abuse an alter boy they get "Suspended with pay", or worse- Reduced pay pending an investigation- or even just "Re-assigned / relocated". This guy just gets fired from not lyeing about hearsay he was in a same-sex relationship.
Cases like this need a great lawyer. God knows there are enough of them! After all, it is the American way! lol Why not add one more lawsuit here along with the long list of pedophile minsters and such.
