Gay only hotels fear equality law: Will be forced to accept heterosexuals February 4, 2007
Posted by C.A.R.D in Anti-heterosexual, Bisexual, Card, Discriminate, Discrimination, equality law, Gay, gay and lesbian, gay market, Gay Only, Gay only hotels, Guyz hotel, Hamilton Hall, Heterophobic, Heterophobic Discrimination, Heterosexual, Homosexual, Lesbian, Mark Hurst, men only, Sexual Orientation Regulations, UK.comments closed
Hoteliers chasing the pink tourist pound have joined criticism of a law outlawing discrimination against homosexuals.
The hotels, which cater for the thriving “exclusively gay” tourism market, say that they should be exempt from the Sexual Orientation Regulations as they will be forced to accept heterosexual guests.
Some say that a ban on “gay only” advertising could put them out of business.
There were also concerns that some heterosexual couples might be unhappy if they unwittingly booked into a gay hotel.
John Bellamy, who runs Hamilton Hall, in Bournemouth, described the new laws as “discrimination against gays”. He said: “We are a unique venue and we only admit gay and bisexual men. Under this law, we would go out of business. This so-called anti-discrimination law is actually discriminatory as it discriminates against gays.”
Another hotelier, Mark Hurst, co-owner of the exclusively gay Guyz hotel, in Blackpool, said that his gay clientele would feel uncomfortable mixing with straight customers.
The hotel had been catering for the gay market for the past 20 years, but only went “exclusive” last year because of customer demand.
He said: “It’s not all good news at all. I don’t welcome it one little bit. We intend to stay ‘men only’ exclusively for as long as we can.
“When we had a mixed environment, with gay, bi and heterosexual customers, people didn’t behave as they naturally would.
C.A.R.D 