A grandfather who spent almost 20 years volunteering for the Red Cross has been dropped by the organisation for opposing same-sex marriage. Bryan Barkley held a sign which read ‘No Same Sex Marriage’ and ‘No Redefinition of Marriage’ on the first day same-sex marriages took place in England. In August, Mr Barkley was told of the decision to withdraw his ‘opportunity to volunteer with the British Red Cross permanently and with immediate effect’. The letter also referred to the incompatibility between Mr Barkley’s views on marriage and the Red Cross’ ‘fundamental principles and values’. Coalition for Marriage (C4M), an umbrella group of supporters of traditional marriage, is backing Mr Barkley and described the actions of the Red Cross as ‘shocking’. At the Red Cross he volunteered in the international family tracing service, working on 84 cases, irrespective of sexual orientation.