The Color Purple - Leicester Curve / U.K. Tour

I can sort of sympathise with kulen 's post until the "get over it" part. Homophobia isn't like being afraid of spiders, it's absolutely a harmful mindset that has led to direct emotional and physical harm of gay people, up to and including their murder. If you're of the viewpoint that an actor doesn't have to agree with the role they're portraying, that's one thing, but telling people to "get over it" about homophobia is ... nah. Homophobia is intolerance and the world would be better off without it. And people who have been affected by it have every right to say "hey, this hurts me" and not be told that they should simply "get over it". They absolutely don't have to, and no one should be telling them to.

Yes, Neighbour. But if they live in a different town or city its ok to hate them.
Perhaps they've been taking these commandments too literally.

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate here, and ask if there is any chance this young woman has no idea that the story has a gay storyline?

I know, I know, everyone here thinks it's obvious, but I took a quick poll around my office and the few who actually had seen the film had no idea. And that's because Spielberg later admitted he took out 99% of the lesbian story so he could get it past the censors at the time. I think all you really see is a kiss.


Not excusing her words, but maybe she really is clueless?

I hear you. It’s called freedom of speech. She is allowed to have her beliefs. But when you hear that she is making fellow actors feel uncomfortable backstage and she won’t take part in certain events that support LGBTQ charities or Pride..... Musical theatre is definitely not for Seyi! Celie is an iconic part that tells a story of the black queer female experience. Seyi seems like a career opportunist who wants to follow the likes of Cynthia Erico- who went on to huge huge success after playing this dream of a role. Well go and play another iconic musical theatre role that won’t make gay audience members and straight allies rage whilst you fake your way to the top. X

For one smiling day to be free...

(not sure I like the gospel arrangement - but it felt appropriate for this current discussion)

Firstly, no we will not just 'get over' homophobia something which at 'best' makes people's lives difficult every single day, hiding their identities from friends, families, co-workers etc. Which makes them miserable, makes them feel shame and gives them all manner of mental health issues because of the problem other people have. At worst it escalates into violence and murder. So no we will not 'get over it'

She is entitled to her religous beliefs of course, but likewise we (atheists, other religions and other Christians alike) are allowed to criticise said views and express how we don't agree with them. 

And the point being that if homosexuality is so abhorrent to her and to her religious beliefs, she should not accept the show. I can't think of a good example but I'm sure there are examples of other performers quietly not going for roles in shows that are at odds with their beliefs. 

A friend of mine was offered the role of Britten in a production of The Habit of Art.  He turned it down because it was being staged in a church and he felt unable to be involved with a play dealing with such open discussions of sex and sexuality.  Not because he had an issue with them per se - but that he felt deeply uncomfortable about such matters being staged in the church.

The church in question was sent the script and they had no issues.

He didn't make a fuss. He just quietly turned down the role.

I can't say I agree with his position - but he handled things with discretion and no-one thought badly of him for it.

If her contract was terminated because of it, I'd guess she'd claim that it was because of religious beliefs which are a protected characteristic and there is no legal minimum length of service to be worked for a claim of that nature to be brought against an employer, so therefore it would clearly be discrimination. A tribunal might look at it and say that she had a responsibility in some way because "why would she accept a job that is clearly in violation of those views" and perhaps find in her favour but not give an award but that's not a guarantee.

I am not a lawyer, but merely *being* a protected class does not mean you're safe from ever being disciplined or fired or whathaveyou, it's only if people act against you *because* of your protected class.

If, for example, she's in the rehearsal room and isn't necessarily friendly to any gay members of the cast or crew but does her job as required and interacts with them cordially and professionally as needed and then is fired, she could probably make a fairly strong case - especially with this publicity - that she's been let go because of her religious beliefs, and that's where the problem would arise.

If, however, she was in the rehearsal room and was actively mean to any gay cast or crew members, or refused to speak or listen to them, or loudly spoke at length about how abhorrent she found their mere presence, then I don't know if that fits the *legal* definition of a hostile work environment (it's more specific than the name makes it sound, apparently), but it would definitely be a situation where someone higher up the ladder should talk to her about acceptable workplace behaviour, explain that what she's doing is not it, and lay out that she needs to shape up or risk consequences, up to and including firing.

I'm not quite sure what differences there are between a more everyday working environment like an office and the world of performing arts; if the negative publicity ramps up then I wouldn't be surprised if they found a clause somewhere that allows someone to be fired for bringing the production into disrepute, but I think legally it would be less shaky if she were to have a serious conversation with whoever and then either apologise whole-heartedly (which doesn't seem likely based on recent reports) or step down. Firing is a bit much to hope for.

An apology is not even close to being sufficient in this situation. She needs to demonstrate clearly that she is not a bigot. An apology is just words - actions are what are needed.

If she did hide to avoid being part of a Pride video, then she has already demonstrated what she has chosen to believe.

There is nothing she can say right now to put this right - other than 'For the good of the production, I am resigning and will be actively working to become a better person'

If she is not prepared to do that, then someone else has to act to remove her from the production.

Would any judge really accept that?

It's amazing how far people can go with religion. First they use it to judge an entire group, and in the next moment they completely turn it around and use it to play the victim role, in order to get what they want. Would the legal system really put religion above actions?