Gay discrimination at Vic Christian camp

A youth support group trying to run a workshop about tackling homophobia and discrimination ran into trouble when it was discriminated against by a Christian-run camp in Victoria.

The group was refused a booking at a Christian Youth Camps (CYC) resort in 2007 because the manager of the facility, Mark Rowe, said the board "would have difficulties" taking the group, WayOut.

It started a seven-year legal battle with CYC ordered to pay $5000 after a tribunal in 2010 found it had discriminated against the group.

The Victorian Court of Appeal on Wednesday dismissed CYC's appeal, finding it did discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.

"There was no error of law in the tribunal's decision that the conduct was discriminatory and that neither of the religious freedom exemptions applied," the court found.

Religious freedom exemptions under the Equal Opportunity Act apply to a body established for religious purposes and to discrimination by a person necessary to comply with the person's genuine religious beliefs or principles.

The Court of Appeal allowed Mr Rowe's appeal against the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal's finding that he was liable for the discriminatory conduct.

In 2007, Mr Rowe was told by WayOut co-ordinator Sue Hackney that she wanted to book the CYC resort for a youth suicide prevention initiative that targeted same-sex-attracted young people and aimed to raise awareness about their needs.

Mr Rowe said CYC would not be able to take them "because CYC was a Christian organisation that supports young people", court documents show.

Lawyers for the organisation told the Court of Appeal Mr Rowe did not refuse the group because their members were gay, but because a message would be promoted that it was okay to have sex outside marriage.

During the 2010 VCAT hearing, Mr Rowe said homosexual activity was wrong because it was contrary to God's teaching as set out in the Bible.

He told the tribunal: "It offends my Christian beliefs that young people in particular are told that there is nothing wrong with homosexual sexual activity."

The Court of Appeal decision prompted the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby to call for the state government to amend laws to give greater protection against discrimination and transparency for people doing business with religious organisations.