Source:
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8578787.stm[/url]
[quote]
A gay couple were turned away from a Berkshire guest house by the owner who said it was "against her convictions" for two men to share a bed.
Michael Black and John Morgan, from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, had booked a double room at the Swiss B&B, Terry's Lane, in Cookham, for Friday night.
But when they arrived owner Susanne Wilkinson refused to let them stay.
She admitted she did turn the couple away because it was against her policy to accommodate same sex couples.
The couple have now reported the matter to Thames Valley Police.
Under the Equality Act 2006 it is illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Ms Wilkinson told the BBC: "They gave me no prior warning and I couldn't offer them another room as I was fully booked.
"I don't see why I should change my mind and my beliefs I've held for years just because the government should force it on me.
"I am not a hotel, I am a guest house and this is a private house."
Mr Black and Mr Morgan were in the village, near Maidenhead, to meet some friends for dinner and to see a local play.
Mr Black told the BBC: "We're two respectable middle-aged men - John is leader of the Lib Dem group on Huntingdon Town Council.
Owner apologised
"This was the first time either of us had experienced homophobia at first hand, despite being aged 56 and 62. We were shocked and embarrassed.
"Mrs Wilkinson saw us both before we got out of the car and immediately acted in an unwelcoming, cold way, but my boyfriend and I were polite and friendly.
"She said if we'd told her in advance she would have told us not to come.
"She apologised for turning us away. I asked for a refund of the deposit, which she gave me without quibble.
"We stayed polite and, to be fair, she wasn't rude or abusive.
'Civil matter'
"All she said about her reasons for turning us away was that it went against her convictions for us to stay there.
"We've since told a large number of friends and acquaintances and the reaction has consistently been amazement that this should have happened.
"I've reported the matter to Thames Valley Police who have confirmed that they are following it up."
Thames Valley Police said the call had been logged as a homophobic incident.
A spokeswoman said: "As the people live outside of the force area, we have asked Cambridgeshire Constabulary to speak to the individuals concerned."
A spokesman for Stonewall, which campaigns for equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, said turning someone away on the grounds of sexual orientation was illegal.
Derek Munn, director of public affairs, said: "Stonewall was delighted when the law changed in 2007 so that lesbian and gay couples could go on their holidays like anyone else.
"In open and shut cases of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation the law's quite clear - it's illegal for businesses to turn away gay customers or discriminate against them when providing goods or services, and this can't be overridden by personal prejudice."
[/quote]
I guess they [i]came out[/i] disappointed.
:downs:
fucking ignorant bastards, why can't you respect what other people do for a lifestyle
at least they're not murdering people or something
It's wrong being against gays in my opinion but it's [B]their[/B] bed and breakfast.
I wasn't expecting something like this to occur over there.
Wow. I'm torn on this - she's a bitch for being homophobic but technically she's allowed to do it by law, so I can't decide if she deserves punishment or not.
[QUOTE=Chunk3ym4n;20904247]It's wrong being against gays in my opinion but it's [B]their[/B] bed and breakfast.[/QUOTE]
I agree here. It's a family business and she should have the right to turn away whoever she pleases.
To be honest, it is her house.
I agree with the owner.
[QUOTE=kellybear;20904263]Wow. I'm torn on this - she's a bitch for being homophobic but technically she's allowed to do it by law, so I can't decide if she deserves punishment or not.[/QUOTE]
Of course she doesn't deserve punishment. It's her bed and breakfast. What is wrong with you people.
It may sucks for them, but hey, if she don't want to let 2 guys (maybe) having sex in her house, she can say no lawl.
It's not like a giant hotel, it's a ladies house she lets people sleep in for money. I want to know how she figured it out though.
Even if it is her own private house, it is still a business. What, she can tell black people they can't stay there because they are black? No, not if she is making money from it.
I'm for the owner on this... It's a Mom 'n Pa shop. You go by their rules ,and deal.
What an asshole lady for turning down two gay guys, but I guess it is her house, and she would have certain rules.
She was only doing her job, but the rules of the place weren't doing it right, the state had laws against it.
Hah, what if it turned out it was father and son or something that just needed a place to stay? (Ignore ages.)
Awkward...
Yeah she can do whatever she wants.
Her place, she can do whatever she wants. If she wants, she can decline gays or blacks or asians.
To the people who agree with her...
would it be different if they were black? Or Hindu?
[editline]11:16PM[/editline]
Ninjad apparently
[QUOTE=johanz;20904519]Her place, she can do whatever she wants. If she wants, she can decline gays or blacks or asians.[/QUOTE]
If it were a store you think that would be okay?
She gave them their money back and wasn't rude or abusive. I dislike that she turned them away for being gay, obviously, but at least she's being civilised about it.
[QUOTE=SuperLoz;20904538]To the people who agree with her...
would it be different if they were black? Or Hindu?
[/QUOTE]
No.
It's still stupid as fuck but we can't start beating people over the head over it.
[QUOTE=Penguiin;20904555]If it were a store you think that would be okay?[/QUOTE]
But it's not a store. It's her house.
[QUOTE=Penguiin;20904555]If it were a store you think that would be okay?[/QUOTE]
It wouldn't be okay if it was a store which was a chain store... Mom N' Pa stores can uphold their own standards. Some standards are looked down on ,but it's the owner's choice to what they want.
I don't see how this is newsworthy. Everyone stayed polite, let alone violence.
Really, both sides have good points. It is illegal for businesses to discriminate, but private people can. Really, it depends on how much of a business company the B&B is. If it's just an unregistered, unlicensed deal, then it goes one way. If it's fully incorporated and professional, it goes another.
I'd hate to be the judge for this case. Either way, someone loses, and whoever wins doesn't win much at all.
I guess if they feel uncomfortable around gay couples, they shouldn't have to let them in. It is their house.
Only in America.
Oh wait.
:clint:
The gay couple should feel lucky. It'd be much more unpleasant if they stayed with her.
[QUOTE=JDK721v2;20904738]Only in America.
Oh wait.[/QUOTE]
At least she only turned them away instead of lynching them
Still makes her a bit of a cunt though
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