What do we think about Chris Grayling suggesting B&Bs should be able to bar gay guests?

[said]

Grayling suggests B&Bs should be able to bar gay guests Story here

Considering he may be the future Home Secretary...

Yes, you're right actually, it wasn't nice of me to take the piss out of you not being able to spell, however vile I think your opinions are. I couldn't resist though, because of the homophone/homophobe thing...

Really though - and am not taking the piss - that website is quite useful.

It's not homophobic and he was bugged and his comments taken out of context, furthermore his own personal beliefs are not indicitive of party line fgs.

Personally I was very surprised to learn that a hotel is not allowed to discriminate and that a B&B falls under this banner. I always thought it was the owner's choice who came in, be it a pub, a swimming pool, a youth club, a corner shop or whatever.

That aside, why on god's sweet earth would that couple have wanted to stay at a B&B where they were not welcome? If any B&B owner got snitty with me I'd fuck off and take my money with me, but then I'm a rocket-scientist.

Nobody forces anyone to stay somewhere where they're shown hostility so I'm afraid I don't really understand your comment (if it was directed at me).

But I suppose they could've known - when making their booking e.g., Peter and John require one double room.

Dunno if it's been mentioned, but why is it ok to ban children though? Why is that acceptable? Why is everyone upset about this issue, but not about barring children? We visited UK last year and was astounded that children ban coupled with min 3 night rule meant we couldn't find 1 b&b/hotel at ll & ended up in the YHA

skihorse you don't though, when a booking is made you take a name, some pople give both names some just a surname and ask for whatever room they want.

Ernest - how are you, I have mentioned that aswell.

five Whatever - it really doesn't matter. They weren't welcome and as I said before I'm shocked to discover that business owners are not allowed to dictate whom their patrons might be - and I'm surprised they didn't flounce off to a gay FRIENDLY hotel (of which there are MANY!) and enjoy their break.

ernest Dunno mate - one rule for one, one for another?

hello 5, I am ok (on days when dd sleeps, not today after being up AGAIN from 12 till 4, but that's another story) smiles sweetly. Hope you're doing well.

I was astonished how many hotels&b&b claimed to be gay friendly, but no children under 11/12.

Come on, how is that ok?

YH was (imo) v. expensive and pretty shit too. No one going to campaign for children's/families' rights?

So people who are subjected to hostility and abuse should just go somewhere else?

So if my child goes into a playground and is called an autistic retard, why doesn't he just go find a new school? The victims of bullying and hatred should be the ones who are punished and inconvenienced and stopped from getting services?

Arrgghh.

OK, I travel 300 miles to go on holiday to a popular destination where there are "no vacancy" signs as far as the eye can see. I've pre-booked a nice place with a sea view that is low noise so that I can stay there because of my disability needs. I get there, exhausted after a long journey and totally unable to cope with anything more than going into my room to rest for a while...

...and the owners says "I didn't know you were autistic and bisexual - I don't want your sort here, dribbling and flapping and upsetting my guests - or doing anything weird with whoever you're with - you're not welcome".

Well, I don't dribble or flap in public and wasn't going to be upsetting their guests. I'm no noisier than anyone else.

Opinions as to whether I should be the one to go trawl round the town to find a new place to stay, when I actually can't manage that?

How marvellous that we see the B&B owner as the one who has all the rights to a quality of life, eh?

That's not the point I'm trying to get across - which is studiously being ignored.

I have received open hostility (overweight, Western, tattooed) - I remove myself AND MY MONEY from the situation and move on. You can live your life in an aggressive, fighty little bubble or you can get on with your life, enjoy it and spend it with people who like you. From my own personal pov I can't imagine deliberately surrounding myself with negative people and getting in to a fight - seems so futile - life is so short.

Why can't the B&B owner decide who they want as their customers? Doesn't Tesco turn away people who are inappropriately dressed? Women can't join the Royal Marines. Bang on about equality all you like, but you'll find it quite tiring and debilitating for your own mental health in the face of common sense.

my aunt is gay and has a womens only b&b in norfolk- she is very busy and theres def a market for it!

Did you read what I wrote, Skilhorse? I'd appreciate an answer to the question I posed, given that I clearly state that in those circumstances given the level of disability I have, I can't manage to just go look elsewhere?

and I'm not in the least aggressive either, now you mention it, but it's interesting that this is your view of victims.

Saying 'no children' might be different providing they say so clearly before you book. You can point to actual reasons and say "children may be noisier etc" though in reality the kind of parents who would let their kids be noisy are probably going to be noisy themselves. Still it is a reason.

Skihorse, even if I were inclined to let them get away with it (which I'm not) they would have to make it clear before you booked. Read Amber's example to see how bad it is to turn up and be turned away.

If we let things pass in the way you suggest then the next 6 places she tried might do the same thing.

They might also put up 'No Blacks' signs since if you allow one prejudice you must allow them all.

MrsVidic, Does she have a 'No MEN" sign in the window?

My point too skihorse I do my research for places which suit my needs and i wouldn't dream of pitching up at mrsvidic's aunts b&b and screeching about equal rights.

I look for child friendly places with a nice big bed for me and dh and interconnecting rooms for the dc.

If i was gay i would research gay friendly places.

I would imagine that the majority of people don't actually care what consenting adults get up to in the privacy of their own rooms but for those that do i see no benefit in labouring the point. Move on!

mrsvidic Does that not discriminate against men though? Seriously, isn't she on shaky ground?

alouise it's not bloody rocket science is it? I'm looking for a holiday next year, the place I want doesn't offer childcare for under 18 months, so rather than rolling up and whining like a child myself for 2 weeks I shall simply go somewhere which does offer what I want!

Skilhorse, you'd be just as happy if they told you that when you were standing there with your bags and kids?

Which is exactly why people with a modicum of sense would enquire beforehand.

I've been looking at the website and I don't think it says anything but I believe she only advertises in lesbian mags/ word of mouth. Children are welcome though

What, you mean I'm supposed to ask whether places that by law have to include me, actually do include me?

You are joking, yes?

I have actually said this before but it's a valid point, nightclubs can pick and choose who they let in. Why shouldn't all businesses?

"oh and while I'm on the phone do you practice illegal descrimination against black people, disabled people, lesbian, gay, transexuals..."

Oh but wait. it need not be the most common prejudices so best carry on.

"do you descriminate against people who are fat/thin, tall/short, ginger haired, blonde, have long noses, eyes that are too close together, freckles...."

Typical mumsnet, take a topic to it's furthest possible extreme.

Do bigots have rights?