A Christian doctor had his contract terminated as a medical assessor for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) because of his belief that sex is genetic and biological.
Dr David Mackereth has 26 years’ experience as an NHS doctor. He has been undergoing training to work as a disability assessor for the Department of Work and Pensions. He was asked whether he would refer to patients according to their chosen gender identification. Dr Mackereth answered that in good conscience he could not refer to someone who is obviously biologically male as if he was female. His contract was then terminated.
Dr Mackereth said:
“I don’t believe I should be compelled to use a specific pronoun. I am not setting out to upset anyone. But, if upsetting someone can lead to doctors being sacked then, as a society we have to examine where we are going.”
Dr Mackereth is a committed Christian who attends a Reformed Baptist church. When asked about referring to patients by their preferred gender, he explained his problem with this approach:
“I said that I had a problem with this. I believe that gender is defined by biology and genetics. And that as a Christian the Bible teaches us that God made humans male or female. I could have kept my mouth shut. But, it was the right time to raise it.
“The tutor took me aside and said he had passed my comments up the chain to the DWP.”
The DWP then explained in an email communication that their lawyers were adamant that any contact with patients or clients must refer to them in their chosen gender, otherwise it “could be considered to be harassment as defined by the 2010 Equality Act.”
We believe that the DWP has over-stated the case here. Gender identity is not protected under the Equality Act, only gender reassignment is protected. Therefore, it would not be regarded as harassment to refer to someone who presents as male as a male, particularly where they have not undertaken any significant step towards anatomically reassigning their gender as the Equality Act requires. Furthermore, Dr Mackereth’s religious convictions are themselves protected, and it could therefore be argued, in the legal sense, that he is the real victim of harassment in all of this.
When Dr Mackereth explained that he could not “in good conscience” conform to those demands, the contract was terminated.
Dr Mackereth said:
“Firstly, we are not allowed to say what we believe. Secondly, as my case shows, we are not allowed to think what we believe. Finally, we are not allowed to defend what we believe.
“By stating what has been believed by mankind for centuries – namely that gender and sex are determined at birth – you can come under ferocious attack.
“If we are no longer allowed to say that you believe sex and gender are the same and are determined at birth, everyone who holds my views can be sacked on the spot under this Act. I’m not an isolated case.”
Dr Mackereth is concerned that many other Christian medical professionals could also be dismissed simply for affirming that gender is a biological characteristic. We share his concerns. Transgender ideology is now preventing doctors from doing their jobs properly. This is even though transgender ideology is contrary to science – which forms the basis of medicine and medical training. We hope that the DWP are challenged about this decision.
Join our email list to receive the latest updates for prayer and action.
Find out more about the legal support we're giving Christians.
Help us put the hope of Jesus at the heart of society.