Have our equality laws gone a bit too far?

[pdq1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19991266

Shouldn't it be up to the owners who they admit into their homes.

[friedgreentomato]

No they are running a business - what if they had not admitted a couple because they were black?

[factor-fiction]

No.

[woofgang]

I agree...there was a recent George Gently where a b and b owner had a sign up saying "no blacks" If you aren't prepared to deal with ALL of the public, provided they aren't causing trouble, then don't run such a business.

[Thatcherite]

Any business has the right ro refuse service, they don't have to give a reason or explain themselves. The problem here was that they did give a reason and as the reason was solely based on a prejudicial attitude to the lifestyle choice of the gentlemen in question, it becomes descrimination.

[youngmafbog]

What I don't get is that they have refused heterosexual unmarried too, so its not as if they only ban Gay men and presumably women.

Many hotels advertise as gay friendly, why didn't they go for one of those? Or was there some compo at the back of their minds.

It should not be compensation that is paid in these cases it should be a fine.

[youngmafbog]

Just out of interest, has there been a case yet where a muslim refuses Gays service? That would really tie the Islington brigade in knots !!

[LazyGun]

I think the issue here is that an individuals civic rights take precedence over the rights of a business owner to refuse service.

Hotels, B&Bs etc have a legal obligation to offer "full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of any place of public accommodation, without discrimination or segregation on the ground of race,gender, color,sexual orientation, religion, or national origin."

I do not know if it is considered discriminatory to advertise yourself as "gay friendly" or "christian ethos" or whatever though.....

[modeller]

Thatcherite # Any business has the right ro refuse service, they don't have to give a reason or explain themselves.#
The trouble here, was the fact they had already accepted the booking and taken a deposit. So it was too late to say no on the doorstep.

[anotheoldgit]

Did anyone really believe that there would have been any other different judgement, in this case?

I wonder if it would be discrimination to refuse accommodation to say a tramp?

[ChuckFickens]

discrimination - Noun... prejudicial treatment of different categories of people.

So yes of course it would be discrimination, it wouldn't be illegal discrimination though as that's restricted to

age
disability
gender identity and gender reassignment
marriage or civil partnership (in employment only)
pregnancy and maternity
race
religion or belief
sex
sexual orientation.

[LazyGun]

@AoG - I think it would legitimate for the owners of the B and B to want some certainty that a prospective guest could pay for their service, and may also have some serious hygiene or public health concerns about admitting a "tramp" as you put it. If the "tramp" can satisfy such concerns, then they should have no right of refusal.

Just looked at my answer again, and I think I might be a "trampophobe" ;)

[Kromovaracun]

"Shouldn't it be up to the owners who they admit into their homes."

I'd argue that's part of what you're obliged to consider if you're going to set up a B&B.

Nowadays we live in a society where you have to put up with people who are different from you - if you don't, then you shouldn't run a business open to the public. The idea of running a business on 'Christian' grounds where you can just turn people away at your fancy (even if they've already paid a deposit and arranged for a room) does not deserve any respect.

[sp1814]

Thatcherite

Lifestyle choice?

Really?

youngmafbog - is that true? Do they ask for marriage certificates when their guests arrive?

Also, you ask: "has there been a case yet where a muslim refuses Gays service?"

No - but a Muslim lad was convicted of putting up those fliers in Hackney (NO GAY ZONE) and I don't remember anyone in particular questions which 'side' to back.

The law is the law - and it would apply in a Muslim-run establishment as anywhere else.

[sp1814]

AOG

I'm with you on that...great to see common sense winning out. There really shouldn't be a get out clause for Christians or any other religious groups. If I have to follow these laws, then why shouldn't Christians?

And with regards to the tramp (or to give them their correct term, 'person who is residentially challenged') - the hoteliers could easily refuse to rent a room because it's not illegal to discriminate based on whether someone is homeless or not.

It's race, sex, sexual orientation and (I think) disability.

[woofgang]

Given who Jesus is said to have associated with in the bible, it's not a particularly Christ like attitude either!

[Thatcherite]

Lazygun:"I think the issue here is that an individuals civic rights take precedence over the rights of a business owner to refuse service." - yes but only because they explained the decision. The general tennet is that the management reserve the right to refuse service. It only becomes an issue if the service is denied for demonstrable "ists".

[LazyGun]

@Thatcherite - I am not knowledgeable enough about the laws surrounding refusal of service to comment.

What I do think is this - if you run a business that involves dealing with the public directly, I do not think you should be discriminating against some sections of the public based upon your own ideology.

[LazyGun]

Nice to see those fine upstanding defenders of British virtue and equality, Nick Griffin, standing up for equal rights... oh wait, no, he tweets the address of the gay couple in question and suggests that a "justice team" go visit them - As he himself says in his tweets - Bullies are cowards...

http://www.channel4.c...-couples-home-address

[pdq1]

If owners are not allowed to make a moral judgement then what would they do if a teacher of 35 brought a teenage girl of 15?