Teenager 'sacked' for opposing same-sex marriage speaks out
The teenager who claims to have been sacked over her Facebook post opposing same-sex marriage has spoken out, saying she did not "expect to lose her job."
Madeline, who has not revealed her last name, said she was sacked as a camerawoman from an entertainment business in Canberra after she put the slogan “it’s okay to vote no," on her Facebook profile picture.
The owner of children's entertainmet company, Madlin Sims, said she fired the staff member for being “homophobic” and she couldn’t have someone working for “posting hate speech online”.
"I definitely wasn't expecting to lose a job over that opinion," Madeline told 7 News.
"I used the one available profile photo filter which says it's ok to vote no," she said referring to her Facebook profile picture.
"My views are against the [same sex] marriage, but I don't hate anyone or discriminiate against anyone who believes otherwise."
The 18-year-old said she is considering taking legal action.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Fair Work Ombudsman said they want to interview both Madeline and Ms Sims to "form an assessment as to whether any workplace laws have been breached," The Australian reported.
The spokesperson confirmed they would be attempting to get in contact with both parties, but said the ombudsman would not be able to do much if the teenager was a contract worker.
“To assert that voting 'no' is homophobic as claimed by the employer is demonstrably false and indicative of the unacceptable bullying and name-calling engaged in by the 'yes' campaign," Senator Eric Abetz said.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said people should not be dismissed from their employment for having different views on marriage equality.
Madeline told Triple J’s Hack that while she believes in equality, she could not vote yes based on her Christian values.
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“I have been raised a Christian my whole life and in the bible God clearly states that a man and a man, and a woman and a woman, are not to be together,” she said.
“I love everyone, I'm not a hateful person at all and I do believe everyone should have equality, but to vote yes to me is something I can't do.”
Ms Sims has since posted a statement on Instagram which says: "I have acknowledged my bigotry in this situation. I truly hope that my actions haven't impacted the campaign for equality."
Madeline told The Bolt Report on Tuesday night she did not deserve to lose her job over her opinion on same sex marriage.
“This is a democracy and we were given the options and asked as Australians to vote yes or no and it is my opinion to vote no,” she said.
"I don't think my job should be taken away from me just because I have an opinion that someone disagrees with."
Earlier, Ms Sims had posted in a Facebook post, which has been deleted, that she did not fire Madeline because of her views on marriage equality.
“She was let go because her actions showed she is extremely out and proud about her views on homosexuals,” she posted.
