Lesbian Fails In Suit Against Church Paper (Press, 23 August 1985)
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Summary: Lesbian Fails In Suit Against Church Paper (Press, 23 August 1985)
On 22 August 1985, the Massachusetts Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit totaling US$1.8 million filed by journalist Christine Madsen, who was terminated from her position at the "Christian Science Monitor" due to her sexual orientation as a lesbian. The court determined that it would not intervene in ecclesiastical matters, recognising the newspaper's affiliation with the Church of Christ, Scientist. However, the justices indicated that Madsen might have grounds for a case regarding the invasion of her privacy and the emotional distress caused by her former employer. The court's ruling emphasised that Madsen, as an employee and a member of the Christian Scientist faith founded by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866, had a responsibility to adhere to the church's moral code. Madsen started her career at the Boston-based newspaper in 1974 and publicly identified as a lesbian in 1981 after addressing rumours concerning her sexual orientation. Following her announcement, the church advised her to engage in self-healing, which she declined, resulting in her dismissal in January 1982.
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