White Rock Pride Society v Star of the Sea Parish

White Rock Pride Society sought to rent the Star of the Sea Community Centre for a Pride Week fundraiser. The Centre is operated by the local Parish of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, who refused to rent the hall.

The Society filed a Human Rights Complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Parish denies discriminating and argues that any use of the hall must align with the core beliefs and teachings of the Church, which oppose same sex marriage.

The BCHA applied to intervene in the case and was granted leave in February 2021. The BCHA will make written submissions on the extent to which an organization can rely on freedom of religion to justify discrimination when participating in the public, commercial sphere.

In June 2022, the parties reached a settlement that involved the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver issuing a formal apology to the LGBTQ2S+ community.

The BCHA was represented by Wes McMillan at the BC Human Rights Tribunal.



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