Protection - what protection?

Christian Concern (http://www.christianconcern.com/) had booked the Law Society's HQ in London for a conference on marriage in May last year, but were told, just days before the event, that the conference breached "equality and diversity" policies as the Law Society supports same sex marriage. They were, therefore, banned from holding the conference there.

The conference speakers held mainstream views on marriage as between a man and a woman. They included academics, the head of a political think tank and a writer for the Telegraph newspaper.

What is so concerning is that this kind of 'censorship' is happening before any change in the law on marriage. What happened with the Law Society is an indication of what may be expected if the Bill becomes law. Individuals and organisations with a traditional view of marriage will find themselves excluded from expressing their views in public, or even private, fora.

The fact that Christian Concern were barred from that venue before any change in law, and that a number of individuals have already fallen foul of "E&D policies", suggests that proposed amendments to the Bill will not be enough to safeguard important freedoms concerning views on marriage.

Dr Sharon James says more on this latest "Marriage Minutes" video clip.