Gay hotels probed over equality laws

Hotels that only take homosexual guests are under investigation for discriminating against straight couples.

Travel Insurance News - 21/02/2011

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A government-supported watchdog is looking into the possibility that gay hotels who refuse heterosexual couples could be in breach of equality laws. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will check if ‘gay only’ accommodation breaches new rules intended to stop discriminatory practices in the provision of services or goods.

The Christian owners of a Cornwall guesthouse last month were the first people found guilty of such discrimination. They were found guilty under equality laws after refusing to allow a gay couple stay in one of the guesthouse’s double rooms.

The legal action in that case had been supported by the EHRC. Now, the same body is saying it has to establish what it calls an ‘objective balance’ by inspecting whether gays-only hotels are also in breach of the equality laws.

Lawyers for the EHRC are looking into the issue. The watchdog says it has so far not decided it won’t take any legal action against any gay-only accommodation found to be discrimination against straight people. The EHRC does, however, admits to not having received any complaints from the public over such practices.

One owner of a gay-only establishment said hoteliers of such guesthouses say they worry they could be forced out of business if the rules insist they must allow straight couples to stay. He said he welcomes the introduction of equality legislation but is concerned about the ultimate price that would be paid.

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