Glasgow Firefighters disciplined despite religious objections

Nine Firefighters from Stratchlyde Fire and Rescue have been disciplined for refusing to take part in activities which would have been in serious breach of their religious beliefs.

The Firefighters had been asked to hand out leaflets at a Gay March in George Square, in Glasgow, on June 24th.

The Fire Brigades Union in Scotland said it would be waiting until the individual members had been contacted before making comment.

The decision to discipline the firemen was met with dismay by the Roman Catholic Church, who explained that the firemen would have, as they have been previously, subject to a barrage of taunts and innuendo from gay marchers. The Roman Catholic Church also explained that numerous marchers take great pleasure in dressing up as nuns or priests, in order to mock the religious sensibilities of observers.

The head of the Fire and Rescue Service said,unconvincinly, that the Service did not "promote any sexual preference", although this appears to be at odds with the fact that the Fire and Rescue Service refuse to attend heterosexual events.