The European Court of Justice upheld the right of homosexuals to the same employment perks as heterosexuals. Yesterday’s preliminary ruling will have “wide wide implications” for British companies if it is approved by the full court next year, said employment lawyers. “Lesbians and gay men will for the first time feel confidentabout coming out at work because they know that if anything happens to them, they will be protected by law,” said Stonewall director Angela Mason.
Advocate General Michael Elder said Lisa Grant had been sexually discriminated against because her employer, South West Trains, refused a rail pass to her lover Jill Percey, when it had granted one to her male predecessor’s common-law wife. Ms. Grant and Ms. Percey said they were “ecstatic” about the ruling.
