BRITAIN: Turnabout For Gay Hotels

After a British court fined the owners of a bed-and-breakfast for turning away gay couples, attention has turned to gay hotels and guesthouses who may similarly discourage the patronage of heterosexuals.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is examining whether "gay-only" guesthouses breach new laws designed to prevent people being treated unfairly in the provision of goods or services. Last month, Christian owners of a guesthouse in Cornwall became the first to be found guilty of discrimination under equality laws after they refused to let a homosexual couple stay in a double room, in a legal action supported by the EHRC. Now, the watchdog says it must establish an "objective balance" by considering if gays-only accommodation also defies the legislation. Its lawyers are now investigating the issue and the EHRC says it has not ruled out taking legal action against "gay-only" hotels if they are deemed to be discriminating against heterosexuals.

Owners of gay guesthouses quoted in the above-linked story say they would likely go out of business if forced to abandon their "exclusively gay" policies. No member of the public has yet to file a complaint against any of the gay businesses.