Gay couple in B&B

[AKMild]

I see that the gay couple who were refused a double room in a B&B have won their case and been awarded £1800 damages. I'm not sure of the background facts, so can't really comment, but the hoteliers were found to have acted unlawfully. Does anyone know which law they actually broke and what the damaged were in respect of?

[ChuckFickens]

SB, if they had turned round and said "sorry, you can't stay here as you have ginger hair" there is nothing the law could have done, the fact that they made it clear they were refusing to let them stay because of their sexual orientation made it against the law.

[squarebear]

Surely it is still a private building, as the owners live there? It is up to them who stays there.

[carolegif]

I use the word Muslim because they have as strict a code as the Christians do (got to love everybody and forgive everybody etc). I am not sure whether a Jewish couple would have the same dilemma. I also believe Buddists and Shinto are not as strict. this couple probably interpret the Bible more literally than others.

[anneasquith]

the owners of the guest house were IMO in the wrong profession.

[jackthehat]

SB - If it was, the Judge wouldn't have been able to make this decision.

They acted illegally.

[andy-hughes]

I think that pretty much signs off the argument.

[ummmm]

SB...no. The last B&B I stayed in had to enforce the smoking ban even though they lived there. They were smokers...it was their house..but ultimately it was a business and had to be ran in accordance with the law.

[carolegif]

But they have been running the guest house for 18 years. Perhaps they were not aware of the change in the law, but they should have been. No single heterosexual couples who have been refused have sued them, would they have a case? It is an interesting conundrum

[Invictas]

No SB,
It is NOT a private building,it stopped being so when the owners "opened it up" as a B&B and offered accommodation to ALL members of the public(under the law).
It is up to them who stays there,but NOT when it breaks discrimination laws,as in this case.

[squarebear]

Madness. So if a stag party turned up, they would have to let them in even though they might wreck the joint?

[Invictas]

No carole,
They obviously knew the law,if they didn't they weren't very good business persons.
I think they had never had a couple before that made it obvious they were gay.They may have had "discreet" gay guests before where they were able to overlook it(which makes them even more of a hypocrite).
I cannot believe that in 18 years they have not had 2guests of the same sex sharing a bed?
BTW,what about 2 ladies sharing a bed,would they ban them!
Maybe they don't know what Lesbians are?

[jackthehat]

No, they wouldn't.

Did you read Chuck's link ?

[Invictas]

Sorry SB,
Now you are just being silly.
I doubt that stag nights would stay in a B&B,and believe me ordinary heterosexual parties can be far worse.

[andy-hughes]

squarebear - that is not an alighend argument.

You can turn away guests on the basis that you think they are unsuitable - that is your right under the law - so stag parties can be refused.

You cannot discriminate against fguests on the grounds of their sexuality - that is not your right under the law - so gay couples cannot be refused on the basis of their sexuality.

The owners would simply have been better off finding another reason not to entertain the couple to whom they objected - or, as has been pointed out - if the sexuality of your guests is a problem, you are in the wrong business!

[woofgang]

The judges judgement said words to the effect that it was a difficult case with genuine moral views on both sides and the couple have been given leave to appeal.

[ummmm]

Loads of B&B's don't take stag party's...

[ChuckFickens]

Nope, SB, they can turn away a same sex group if they want (or as I said they can turn away people for having ginger hair if they wanted)

The Equality act specifically protects against discrimination for reasons of:-
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage and civil partnership
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

It's the fact that they were turning people away for one of the above reasons that meant they were breaking the law.

[carolegif]

But on what grounds could they be refused? By all accounts they behaved well, didn't trash the place or make a noise etc I'd rather have quiets guests of any kind. perhaps we can get a law against disruptive guests!

[gingejbee]

Chuck - please stop mentioning ginger hair.....I'm a sensitive soul......

[ummmm]

Post above explains it...