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Gay News: The Christian owners of a Cornish B&B are to be sued for refusing to let a gay couple share a double bed.
By: Nigel Robinson

Chymorvah hotel: "friendly welcome"

Christians to be sued for refusing gays double bed

8 December 2010

 
 

 

Peter and Hazelmary Bull of the Chymorvah hotel near Penzance told gay couple Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy that they could not share a double bed as that would be an “affront” to their Christian faith.
 
Hall and Preddy are now taking the Bulls to court, claiming that they were discriminated against because they were gay.
 
The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 makes it an offence to refuse goods and services to people on the grounds of sexual orientation.
 
The hotel’s website assures that guests will be given “a friendly welcome... warm hospitality and much happiness, mingled with good service.”
 
It then goes on to say that "as Christians we have a deep regard for marriage (beihng 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.”
 
The Bulls’ case is being funded by the Christian Institute which describes itself as a nondenominational charity “committed to upholding the truths of the Bible”.
 
Mike Judge of the Institute said: “This case is about liberty of conscience. This guesthouse is Mr and Mrs Bull’s own home. They have rights too, and they should not be forced to act against their sincerely held religious beliefs under their own roof.
 
“Their guesthouse is not the only one in Cornwall, there is plenty of room for diversity of opinion.
 
“This Christian couple are being put on trial for their beliefs. Equality laws are being used as a sword rather than a shield.”
 
In a statement, gay rights charity Stonewall said: “We look forward to the hotel changing its policy to reflect equality, the twenty-first century, and the law.”
 
The case is due to be heard at Bristol County Court on Monday 13 December.