-
Posts
-
Gay couple ‘turned away from B&B’
Michael Black and John Morgan claim they were turned away from bed and breakfast accommodation
A gay couple have claimed they were turned away from a bed & breakfast because the owner said it was “against her convictions” to allow them to share a bed.Michael Black, 62, and John Morgan, 56, from Brampton, Cambridgeshire, have reported the owner of the Swiss B&B in Cookham to police for discriminating against them.
The couple arrived at the guest house near Maidenhead, Berkshire, on Friday and were met outside by the owner Susanne Wilkinson.
“She could see through the windscreen that we were two men,” said Mr Black. “And when we got out of the car she was immediately distant and unfriendly and then she said, ‘it’s a double room’, and we said ‘yes’. “She said, ‘it’s a large double bed in a double room’ and we said, ‘yes’, and then she said it was against her convictions to let us stay.
“We said it was illegal to discriminate against people who stay in hotels because that’s all we knew at the time and she said it was her private home and it was against her convictions. She said she was sorry and she was polite in a cold way and she was not abusive, so we asked our money back and she gave it to us.”
Mr Black said the couple were “very angry” but then met friends nearby and went to the theatre but decided to drive the 80 miles back to their home. Mr Black said the couple had been interviewed by Cambridgeshire police after they first complained to Thames Valley Police online. He said they had been advised the offence would be treated as a civil matter and they should take Mrs Wilkinson to county court. But Mr Black said he understood that under the Equality Act 2006 it is illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of sexual orientation, even in a guest house.
Mrs Wilkinson was not answering her phone at the guest house on Sunday night. But earlier she told BBC News she had turned the men away.
“They gave me no prior warning and I couldn’t offer them another room as I was fully booked, she said. “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.”
A spokesman for Stonewall, the gay rights campaign group, said turning a couple away because of their 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.”
A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: “We are aware of the incident and were contacted yesterday. The call has been logged as a homophobic incident. As the people live outside of the force area, we have asked Cambridgeshire Constabulary to speak to the individuals concerned.”
It’s their B&B it’s up to them who stays isn’t it
Pete – I’m shocked! You’d turn away custom, just because you’re against their se xuality?
IF i turned away my custom just because I disagreed with their se xuality, then I’d not be able to be a Rent – Boy!
What can i say Gazlan has made me see the error of this un-natural act which is a Zionist plot formulated by shape shifting Geckos from the planet Aximoth
The prophet (praise be to Allah) decreed that “man shall not take delivery up the back passage and if so ever a man should attempt to take congress with another man in a place that doth serve breakfast then thou mayst smite him and their brethren and cast them into the street”
Well I feel for the couple. It must have been a horrible experience.
The woman obviously felt strongly about compromising her beliefs which must have been very difficult. But if the laws above stated are true, unfortunately she was in the wrong.I come not with peace………. but a sword :)
She may well be wrong in the eyes of the law but certainly had the courage of her convictions and stuck to her guns, good for her!
The pair of them weren’t that upset obviously, they still enjoyed their evening at the theatre with friends. I’m sure that there’s more than one B & B in the area and they probably could quite easily have gone and booked in somewhere else. Why do that though when you can quote the good old discrimination laws and get your name in the paper, and quite possibly a few bob for doing so.
Gays or Lesbians, each to their own, and judging by the age of these two particular individuals, it’s high time they grew up and acted their age instead of behaving like spoiled brats and spitting their dummies :roll:
..and another thing……..if the turner awayer was a Muslim, who are it seems allowed to enforce their beliefs come what may, we would probably have never known about this story because no one would want to rock their boat.
So although I feel for the couple I equally feel for the woman.@kent f OBE wrote:
..and another thing……..if the turner awayer was a Muslim, who are it seems allowed to enforce their beliefs come what may, we would probably have never known about this story because no one would want to rock their boat.
So although I feel for the couple I equally feel for the woman.Good point! =D>
lol @ turner awayer……how about you study English as a language….loool
Get involved in this discussion! Log in or register now to have your say!