Gozen Soydag

Gozen Soydag – a school pastoral manager in North London – was sacked for supporting a biblical view of marriage on her influential social media account.

Gozen Soydag, from North London, launched legal action against St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls for wrongful dismissal, harassment, discrimination and breaches of her human rights on the grounds of her Christian beliefs.

Gozen’s social media accounts were censored by the school before she was sacked on her birthday and ordered to leave the school premises without pay.

Commenting on her case, Gozen said:

“I still do not know what I did wrong to warrant being dismissed.

“I wanted to work in the education sector and make an impact for young people. This was a Catholic school, and they knew I was a passionate woman of faith. The school’s building is in the shape of the Cross. Every classroom had a Cross and Bible verses on the walls. This was a place where I believed they accepted Jesus.

“My social media channels were about sharing hope through the Word of God, especially for women. No one who desires marriage wants a singles ministry! But that is what God gave me.

“The majority of my adult life I have worked with vulnerable people. I’ve never had a complaint against me and it has never been suggested that I am a danger to anyone.

“When I was dismissed, it was therefore a complete shock. People had always said to me about my social media accounts: ‘you are such an encouragement, good for you.’

In December 2024, an employment tribunal heard Gozen’s case. The Employment Judge upheld Gozen’s dismissal and said her posts “Only celebrated the nuclear family, which could make other students from different backgrounds feel devalued”.

With the support of the Christian Legal Centre, Gozen will appeal this unjust ruling.

Key links

• School pastoral manager sacked for marriage beliefs launches legal action