Christian Hotel Owners Sued After Telling Gay Guests To ‘Kick Rocks’
Typically, hotels reserve the right to accept or deny anyone to stay on their property for whatever reason, but this time there may be some legal ramifications to their questionable, long-standing policy.
In Cornwall, U.K., Peter and Hazelmary Bull run a seven-room guesthouse called the Chymorva Private Hotel with a special policy to govern who can – and can’t – book double rooms, the U.K.’s Daily Mail reports. People who book a room see this message:
Special Note:
Here at Chymorvah we have few rules, but please note that as Christians we have a deep regard for marriage (being the union of one man to one woman for life to the exclusion of all others).
Therefore, although we extend to all a warm welcome to our home, our double bedded accommodation is not available to unmarried couples – Thank you.
In September 2008, civil partners Steven Preddy and Martyn Hall reserved a double room at the hotel, the article says.
When the hotel’s manager “realized that the booking had not been made for a heterosexual couple,” their hotel reservation was cancelled, according to a Christian Post article. The policy’s been in effect since they bought the hotel in 1986.
“The guesthouse is not just a business, it is also Mr. and Mrs. Bull’s own home,” Christian Institute director Colin Hart told the Christian Post. “This case could determine whether Christians are permitted to operate (bed-and-breakfast inns) that restrict double bed accommodation to married couples.”
What say you Bossip nation, do Steven and Martyn have a legitimate case in suing the hotel owners? Does the fact that the business doubles as the Bull’s home give them the right to decide who stays in their rooms??
