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Thread: Are they In the wrong business?

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    Default Are they In the wrong business?

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ID:	33700The Christian owners of a Cornish hotel told a court today that they turned away a gay couple because their faith prevented them from allowing unmarried guests to share a room.

    In the first case of its kind, Peter and Hazelmary Bull denied the allegation that they discriminated against Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy because they were gay, but insisted their faith meant they believed unmarried couples should not share a room under their roof.

    It was suggested during the hearing at Bristol county court that the Bulls had been "set up", but Preddy and Hall, who are civil partners, insist that they had no idea of the hotel's policy before arriving.

    Martyn Hall, right, and his civil partner Steven Preddy outside Bristol County Court. Backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Preddy and Hall are claiming damages of £5,000 under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations. The Bulls' defence is financed by the Christian Institute, a charity that works to protect "the religious liberty of Christians". Before the case began, around 30 supporters sang hymns and held up placards declaring: "It's their home" – a reminder that the Bulls live as well as work at the hotel.

    Preddy told the court he booked a room at the Chymorvah private hotel in Marazion, near Penzance, over the phone after looking at its website. He had not seen its room policy, which appeared only on its booking form, he said.

    When the couple, from Bristol, arrived at the hotel in September 2008, manager Bernie Quinn informed them of the policy. "I would say the body language wasn't great and it was clear we were not welcome in the hotel," said Preddy. After being turned away, they reported the Bulls to the police, the court heard.

    Mrs Bull, 66, said: "We accept that the Bible is the holy living word of God and we endeavour to follow that." She said the hotel's policy was not to allow unmarried couples of either sex to share a double or a twin room, and that the policy had been in existence since 1986. The couple's faith meant they did not believe in sex before marriage and would not allow it under their roof, Mrs Bull said.

    She explained that she took Preddy's booking over the telephone when she was ill and so failed to explain the hotel's policy. "There is no way I would have let them make the journey only to be disappointed," she said. "We were very surprised when the two gentlemen turned up the next day.

    "This is our home; it's not some large corporation. We feel that under the eyes of God we need to feel comfortable there – and that includes sleeping arrangements.

    "We feel that our faith and conscience means we are responsible for what happens under our roof and that the teachings of the Christian faith are opposed to sex outside of marriage."

    The hearing heard that the semi-detached hotel has seven rooms in total – three doubles, one family room, two twins and a single – with the Bulls living on the ground floor.

    The court heard that the gay rights group Stonewall had written to the Bulls a month earlier advising them of new equality rules. The claimants' barrister, Catherine Casserley, asked Quinn: "Are you suggesting this claim was a set-up?" Quinn replied: "It is not beyond the realms of possibility."

    Preddy said he and his civil partner were members of Stonewall, but said they had no knowledge of the organisation contacting the hotel before their visit.

    The Bulls' barrister, James Dingemans QC, said: "It is not part of the defendants' case to undermine the rights of same-sex partners. The defendants do submit their policy is directed to sex and not sexual orientation and is lawful."

    The issue was raised during the general election campaign when the then shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, apologised after saying that people who ran bed and breakfasts in their home ought to be able to turn away gay couples.

    The case continues.

    Should they be allowed to turn unmarried couples away if they are in the hospitality industry?

    GL
    "Keep it real with me, and I'll keep it real with you"

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gaylord View Post
    Should they be allowed to turn unmarried couples away if they are in the hospitality industry?
    No, of course not. But I'm curious about a couple of things. Do they allow unmarried heterosexual couples? Do they work on Sunday?

    “I wish you wouldn’t keep appearing and vanishing so suddenly; you make one quite giddy!”
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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gordo View Post
    No, of course not. But I'm curious about a couple of things. Do they allow unmarried heterosexual couples? Do they work on Sunday?
    She said the hotel's policy was not to allow unmarried couples of either sex to share a double or a twin room, however, they failed to explain the hotel's policy...

    GL
    "Keep it real with me, and I'll keep it real with you"

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gaylord View Post
    She said the hotel's policy was not to allow unmarried couples of either sex to share a double or a twin room, however, they failed to explain the hotel's policy...

    GL
    Okay, so they are prudes rather than specifically homophobic. What they're doing then is still illegal, but slightly less repellent.

    “I wish you wouldn’t keep appearing and vanishing so suddenly; you make one quite giddy!”
    “All right,” said the Cat; and this time it vanished quite slowly, beginning with the end of the tail, and ending with the grin, which remained some time after the rest of it had gone.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gaylord View Post
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ID:	33700The Christian owners of a Cornish hotel told a court today that they turned away a gay couple because their faith prevented them from allowing unmarried guests to share a room.

    In the first case of its kind, Peter and Hazelmary Bull denied the allegation that they discriminated against Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy because they were gay, but insisted their faith meant they believed unmarried couples should not share a room under their roof.

    It was suggested during the hearing at Bristol county court that the Bulls had been "set up", but Preddy and Hall, who are civil partners, insist that they had no idea of the hotel's policy before arriving.

    Martyn Hall, right, and his civil partner Steven Preddy outside Bristol County Court. Backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Preddy and Hall are claiming damages of £5,000 under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations. The Bulls' defence is financed by the Christian Institute, a charity that works to protect "the religious liberty of Christians". Before the case began, around 30 supporters sang hymns and held up placards declaring: "It's their home" – a reminder that the Bulls live as well as work at the hotel.

    Preddy told the court he booked a room at the Chymorvah private hotel in Marazion, near Penzance, over the phone after looking at its website. He had not seen its room policy, which appeared only on its booking form, he said.

    When the couple, from Bristol, arrived at the hotel in September 2008, manager Bernie Quinn informed them of the policy. "I would say the body language wasn't great and it was clear we were not welcome in the hotel," said Preddy. After being turned away, they reported the Bulls to the police, the court heard.

    Mrs Bull, 66, said: "We accept that the Bible is the holy living word of God and we endeavour to follow that." She said the hotel's policy was not to allow unmarried couples of either sex to share a double or a twin room, and that the policy had been in existence since 1986. The couple's faith meant they did not believe in sex before marriage and would not allow it under their roof, Mrs Bull said.

    She explained that she took Preddy's booking over the telephone when she was ill and so failed to explain the hotel's policy. "There is no way I would have let them make the journey only to be disappointed," she said. "We were very surprised when the two gentlemen turned up the next day.

    "This is our home; it's not some large corporation. We feel that under the eyes of God we need to feel comfortable there – and that includes sleeping arrangements.

    "We feel that our faith and conscience means we are responsible for what happens under our roof and that the teachings of the Christian faith are opposed to sex outside of marriage."

    The hearing heard that the semi-detached hotel has seven rooms in total – three doubles, one family room, two twins and a single – with the Bulls living on the ground floor.

    The court heard that the gay rights group Stonewall had written to the Bulls a month earlier advising them of new equality rules. The claimants' barrister, Catherine Casserley, asked Quinn: "Are you suggesting this claim was a set-up?" Quinn replied: "It is not beyond the realms of possibility."

    Preddy said he and his civil partner were members of Stonewall, but said they had no knowledge of the organisation contacting the hotel before their visit.

    The Bulls' barrister, James Dingemans QC, said: "It is not part of the defendants' case to undermine the rights of same-sex partners. The defendants do submit their policy is directed to sex and not sexual orientation and is lawful."

    The issue was raised during the general election campaign when the then shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling, apologised after saying that people who ran bed and breakfasts in their home ought to be able to turn away gay couples.

    The case continues.

    Should they be allowed to turn unmarried couples away if they are in the hospitality industry?

    GL
    i think they should.as its said its there home as well as there business
    if its something they believe strongly in they have the right to refuse they
    they should however make that clear to anyone booking in to stay with them
    the chances are however it prob more of a case they didnt want a gay couple staying,which altho not right
    prob still happening a lot these days in small towns,some people still think same sex couples are wrong

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    northernwaster (07-02-11)

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    Quote Originally Posted by El Gordo View Post
    Okay, so they are prudes rather than specifically homophobic. What they're doing then is still illegal, but slightly less repellent.
    It is not illegal to require that couples should be married....

    GL
    "Keep it real with me, and I'll keep it real with you"

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    I think it's a bit sad really

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    Quote Originally Posted by OnlyMe View Post
    I think it's a bit sad really
    Which part?

    GL
    "Keep it real with me, and I'll keep it real with you"

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    They lost their case, anyway. It was in the news a wee while back.

    BBC News - Christian hoteliers appeal against ban on gay couple

    But it seems that the Gay Gestapo aren't all that innocent. Turns out they got wind of this couple's policy, then set them up by having these two men make a booking where they deliberately did not indicate their sexual orientation. Then when the two gay men are turned away - hey presto, you're sued! Cue fake moral outrage from the Gestapo and the rest of the establishment falling over themselves to be seen as PC.

    Surely the Gay Gestapo have better things to do than bullying an elderly couple like this.

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    northernwaster (07-02-11)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mousey View Post
    They lost their case, anyway. It was in the news a wee while back.

    BBC News - Christian hoteliers appeal against ban on gay couple

    But it seems that the Gay Gestapo aren't all that innocent. Turns out they got wind of this couple's policy, then set them up by having these two men make a booking where they deliberately did not indicate their sexual orientation. Then when the two gay men are turned away - hey presto, you're sued! Cue fake moral outrage from the Gestapo and the rest of the establishment falling over themselves to be seen as PC.

    Surely the Gay Gestapo have better things to do than bullying an elderly couple like this.
    I hope the tossers responsibe are proud of themselves, I really do. Why go out of your way to force your lifestyle down the throats of people who obviously don't want it. The elderly owners don't stand in gay clubs preaching the gospel do they? We are ALL allowed our OWN beliefs not just the crusaders

    I'm struggling at how to put what I'm feeling into words about these gay "heros." Actions like this only harm relations between the different factions of socity. Time for them to stop the crusade and get on with their lives in peace - what we all want!
    Last edited by northernwaster; 07-02-11 at 20:06.

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