Dismissed for Celebrating Biblical Marriage
Gozen Soydag | Executive Committee Member | Pastoral Manager (Head of Year 10)
The Situation
Gozen Soydag joined St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls in North London in September 2022 as a Pastoral Manager, supporting Year 10 students. She came to the role with a background in law and a passion for supporting young people — particularly those in vulnerable situations — and was warmly welcomed by the school’s headteacher.
Outside of work, Gozen ran a personal ministry on Instagram — @wifeinthewaiting — with over 30,000 followers. The account was described as “a God-centred ministry that encourages, empowers and equips women who desire to be married, to position in purpose” — dedicated to celebrating the institution of marriage and the traditional nuclear family. Her posts were grounded in Scripture, including Ephesians 5, and shared in her own time, with no connection to her professional role.
In February 2023, everything changed.
The Challenge
Gozen was summoned by the school’s assistant deputy head and told that concerns had been raised about her social media activity. She was told she must make her accounts not publicly accessible and remove a video she had reshared.
At no point was she asked or given the opportunity to explain the purpose of her account. She complied as quickly as she was able — but the school was not satisfied.
She was given a 24-hour ultimatum to ensure her @wifeinthewaiting account was no longer visible on Google search — a demand she explained was technically impossible to meet in that timeframe. Days later, she was called in again.
Gozen was dismissed on her birthday and told to pack up and leave the premises immediately, without pay, and without being able to say goodbye to her students or colleagues. The school stated her Christian beliefs were “incompatible with the school’s mission statement and ethos.”
Before she left, she asked the headteacher what exactly she had done wrong. She was told simply: “I cannot have someone with that mindset working in the school.”
At stake was not only her livelihood and career, but a deeper and more significant question: whether a Christian woman can openly celebrate biblical marriage — in her own time, on her own platform — without it costing her her job. In a school that displayed a cross in every classroom and Bible verses on every wall.
Our Support
Supported by Christian Concern and the Christian Legal Centre, Gozen publicly launched legal action against St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls in December 2024, claiming wrongful dismissal, harassment, discrimination, and human rights breaches on the grounds of her Christian beliefs.
NCTU stood alongside her throughout — not merely as a legal matter to be managed, but as a woman of faith navigating one of the most publicly scrutinised seasons of her life. She received strategic legal counsel, sustained support through tribunal proceedings, pastoral care, prayer, and the strength of a community that refused to let her stand alone.
“I still do not know what I did wrong to warrant being dismissed. This was a Catholic school — they knew I was a passionate woman of faith. The school’s building is in the shape of the Cross. Every classroom had a Cross and Bible verses on the walls. This was a place where I believed they accepted Jesus.” — Gozen Soydag
The Outcome
The Employment Tribunal dismissed Gozen’s case, with the Employment Judge ruling that her posts “only celebrated the nuclear family, which could make other students from different backgrounds feel devalued.”
During proceedings, the school’s assistant headteacher compared Gozen’s beliefs on biblical marriage to controversial social media personality Andrew Tate, deeming them “incompatible in modern society.”
Gozen’s response was immediate and unwavering.
“I am devastated and confused by the ruling and am determined to appeal and continue to fight for justice,” she said. “I want to encourage other people to stand for the truth that they believe in — and not let people silence us or make us feel like we need to hide away.”
Her lawyers are now appealing the outcome to the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The case continues.
Why It Matters
Gozen’s case is about far more than one woman and one dismissal. It sits at the heart of one of the most pressing questions facing Christians in the UK today: can you celebrate your faith publicly — in your own time, on your own platform — without it being weaponised against you in the workplace?
Gozen argued that her dismissal highlights a growing intolerance for Christian beliefs in institutions that outwardly claim to uphold a faith-based ethos — and that had her views aligned with secular inclusivity, she would have been celebrated rather than penalised.
She is right. And that is precisely why NCTU exists.
Through the support of NCTU and Christian Concern, Gozen has been able to pursue justice before the courts, bring national attention to her case through major media outlets, and continue her ministry and global impact through Wife in the Waiting. She has inspired countless others facing similar pressures to come forward and stand firm.
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” — 2 Corinthians 4:8
During one of the most difficult seasons of her life, she was not left to navigate it alone. She was supported, strengthened, and equipped to continue her calling — with truth, integrity, and courage.
At NCTU, we believe no Christian should have to choose between their faith and their profession. We stand with individuals like Gozen — ensuring they are protected, represented, and empowered to live and work with conviction.
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