A lesbian chef in New York has been awarded $1.6million
(£1,008,675) in damages and compensation after her boss openly
prayed for her to be healed.
Mirella Salemi, who worked at Mary Ann's Mexican restaurant on
West Broadway in Manhattan, accused restaurant owner Edward
Globokar of forcing her to take part in prayer meetings at the
restaurant, in which he prayed for her sexuality to be
healed.
According to the Huffington Post, all employees were included in
the prayer meetings - but Salemi believes that she was singled out
because of her sexuality.
Globokar is reported to have told his employees that they faced
eternal damnation unless they went to church. He was accused of
discriminating against employees with different personal and
religious beliefs to his own.
Salemi's lawyer, Derek Smith, said in a statement: "He not only
threatened her soul, but he also threatened her livelihood. He
thought praying might cure her of her sexuality, but she is someone
who didn't need to be saved."
Salemi worked at the restaurant for 6 years before quitting in
2007.
The payout consists of $1.2million in punitive damages and $400,00
in compensation for Salemi.
