To think that the landlord of the pub in Soho was within his rights to ask the couple to leave?

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www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13103647

We've all seen the story. It seems to me that it's completely blown out of all proportion in exactly the same way that the couple with the B&B did not want gay couples staying under their roof.

If you were sat in a pub/restaurant and a heterosexual couple started getting steamed up, kissing passionately, hands all over each other, you'd be like 'Get a room' or 'take it outside'. I personally would move to another seat, I don't want to see it, straight or gay.

I think you should be allowed to ask people to move/leave for whatever reason if there is no prejudice and think this is another classic example of bleeding heart lefties using tactics to make the majority feel like the minority.

AIBU?

blu, it all sounds very odd. the brewery has to take some responsibility imo, for misjudging the LLs placement so badly.

What a depressing thread.

I didn't realise just how prejudiced some MNers are...to think that a pub has the right to throw out two men for kissing (a peck as it was described) is really sad. And this talk of "the gays"...horrible!

As a committed Christian can I distance myself from this idea that religious faith and intolerance always go together.

They were asked to stop kissing. They didnt. They were kicked out.

Tough fuking shit.

This is more about journos seeing a story than it is about gay rights.

the question is though ccp, were they asked to stop kissing and subsequently to leave because they were gay or because they were all over each other. if the former is the case, then the landlord is blatently in the wrong and should be held accountable. if its the latter, then you are right.

YABU

FFSTiggaxx

Blu- The Guardian has a completely different story to that told by one of the couple himself. Where there wasn't a landlady involved...doesn't mention any grabbing. It does however say a Police Officer said;

"He's well within his rights to do so".

Of course, you all have the authority of the law.

Not authority of the law LOTM just a basic understanding of it. It helps.

Doesn't really matter though, does it? If the law says one thing and you "understand" another.

theyknow, you are talking about discrimination law, LOTM is talking about licensing laws. separate things altogether.

"If it WAS because they were gay, he will "get away with it" because he has the right to refuse anyone for anyone reason"

Wrong. If it was because they were gay he will get away with because no one can prove that was the reason. The LLs right to refuse service does NOT cover discrimination for race/gender/sexuality, but only rules that apply to all.

Getting away with it is not the same as being innocent.

We don't know what went on inside his head, but we can say that if he threw them out because they were gay then he is a criminal (who will get away with it for lack of proof) and a bigot.

This Guardian story mentions the woman who claimed she was the landlady

Witnesses - the ones who protested the original eviction - said they were NOT 'all over each other'.

But obviously the speculative mind of MN can create a different version which better matches the fact that they were thrown out, and makes it their own fault.

lenin, I would like to once again make it clear that I am not in that camp. the point that I was trying to make is that if the LL asked a couple to leave because they were getting it on in the corner (lets take the sexuality element out) then they are within their rights and do not have to give a reason.

the assumption is that this couple were evicted because of their sexuality, and because the LL was uncomfortable with seeing two men kissing, and if that is the case then tbh, he deserves everything he gets, although, one would ask why he took on a tenancy on a pub in Soho if he was so easily offended.

the discrimination act comes into play when he asks them to leave because they are gay, and implies (or outright says so, like the B&B couple) that that is the case.

If the law says one thing and you "understand" another..

surely 'ignorance of the law is no defence'.

i just thought what a mad thing to happen in soho in the year 2011

is that aimed at me reeling?

southeastastra.......

Actually no..ccll...

it was aimed at LOTM

lenin, absolutely, and rightly so. the licensee's right to refuse service without giving a reason is there to protect them from drunk/drugged up twats who take offence at being told they've had enough/cant sniff coke off the cisterns. its not there to exercise your own prejudices.

however, the brewery have to answer as well. if he was uncomfortable with homosexuality, why place him in that pub? and why did he take it?

reeling,

It is his pub, is he asked them to leave then that is up to him.

Just on a side note (and I aint getting into a debate about it, I will just say what I know) I have a lot of gays friends and they go to the gay village in Manchester...on my friends last birthday we met him in a gay pub. I wasn't allowed in. Why? Because I am not gay. This has happened at least ten times and in more then one place. So then we all have to go to a straight pub where everyone can drink without an issue. Years ago me and my best mate actually kissed to get into a bar cos the bouncer asked us to prove it...ahh the memories of doing anything to get into breakfast club for 3am!

If it was the other way round there would be uproar as this news story has proven. I am all for gay rights, everyone should be equal in my book but I have only ever witnessed it the other way round. I have never, ever been in a straight pub and had my gay friends either refused or thrown out. Also, when I have been in gay bars/clubs which I have spent a lot of time, even with the challenge, there is always someone in the toilet shagging...always!!! I have seen this only once in a straight pub. This is not me making presumptions, this is what I have seen with my own eyes over 16 years of clubbing on the gay scene. Even my gay friends have done it, made eyes over the bar and nipped to the loo for a blow job. I am not guessing or making any of this up, 'tis true.

In this day and age I truly believe there was more to this story because I don't believe in Soho that this is the first gay couple to have kissed in that pub.

Once again I aint judging anyone, I am simply stating what I have witnessed and what I think as I know all too well you guys love nothing more then to rip posts to shreds. That is all :)

Um, you realise all the people on here saying "I've snogged my hetero partner in that pub and not been thrown out" are potential witnesses?

It's evidence the LL throws out gay but not straight couples for the same level of contact (assuming same landlord present).

Folks, you need to contact the gay couple or the police investigating.