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Hotel turns away straight couples
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Re: Hotel turns away straight couples
Straight Couples Turned Away From Key West Hotel
KEY WEST, Fla. (April 16) - Three heterosexual couples said they were turned away from a hotel in this gay-friendly tourist spot because of their sexual orientation.
The six were vacationing with a gay couple and had reservations at a hotel called Big Ruby's when the three straight couples were turned away.
'The manager literally said, 'We don't want you here,'' said Jim Pirih, who was vacationing with his partner and straight friends.
The group was already settled in their rooms Wednesday when the manager told the straight couples they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property, Pirih said.
'He said he had to appeal to the majority, and the majority of guests wouldn't want straight people there,' Pirih said.
The six were allowed to stay one night but had to check out Thursday morning, Pirih said.
Big Ruby's did not immediately return a phone message Friday.
Key West has a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination by sexual orientation in housing and lodging. Violators can face a civil citation and be fined up to $500.
Scott Fraser, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Key West, said any discrimination based on sexual orientation is wrong.
'Whether it's a couple turned away from a place of business because they're gay, or a straight couple refused admittance because it's a gay facility, socially and legally that's discrimination and equally as unacceptable,' Fraser said Friday.
04/16/04 19:26 EDT
KEY WEST, Fla. (April 16) - Three heterosexual couples said they were turned away from a hotel in this gay-friendly tourist spot because of their sexual orientation.
The six were vacationing with a gay couple and had reservations at a hotel called Big Ruby's when the three straight couples were turned away.
'The manager literally said, 'We don't want you here,'' said Jim Pirih, who was vacationing with his partner and straight friends.
The group was already settled in their rooms Wednesday when the manager told the straight couples they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property, Pirih said.
'He said he had to appeal to the majority, and the majority of guests wouldn't want straight people there,' Pirih said.
The six were allowed to stay one night but had to check out Thursday morning, Pirih said.
Big Ruby's did not immediately return a phone message Friday.
Key West has a city ordinance that prohibits discrimination by sexual orientation in housing and lodging. Violators can face a civil citation and be fined up to $500.
Scott Fraser, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Key West, said any discrimination based on sexual orientation is wrong.
'Whether it's a couple turned away from a place of business because they're gay, or a straight couple refused admittance because it's a gay facility, socially and legally that's discrimination and equally as unacceptable,' Fraser said Friday.
04/16/04 19:26 EDT
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Re: Hotel turns away straight couples
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Re: Hotel turns away straight couples
This is related to my sandals post. It's sort of interesting how people react differently when it's straight couples turned away.
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Re: Hotel turns away straight couples
Posted by marymoon
This is related to my sandals post. It's sort of interesting how people react differently when it's straight couples turned away.
What does that mean?
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I had posted on BHB about how Sandals does not allow gay couples, and because of that I wasn't going to honeymoon there...People ahd mixed reacions, but most people didn't think it was such a big deal.
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Posted by marymoon
This is related to my sandals post. It's sort of interesting how people react differently when it's straight couples turned away.
that's EXACTLY what I was thinking...funny, isn't it?
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I dont think there is any thing wrong w/ having a gays only hotel. Gays are discriminated against so much that i think it is only fair that they be able to go away on vacation w/o having people treat them badly, stare and snicker behind their backs because they are expressing themselves (especially romantically). I just dont think it is a big deal.
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point is, why do speical things have to be made up? this is very sad and troubleing
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Posted by MCDO15
point is, why do speical things have to be made up? this is very sad and troubleing
Gay and lesbian people have to 'make up' their own 'special things' because homophobia still runs rampant in this society, and these people often have an easier time of it in their own places. Sad and troubling, indeed. Exactly.
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I have been to Key West many, many times and I feel the same way about the gay hotels there as I do about Sandals. That is their choice as to how they want to do business. As I had said before gay couples generally want to vacation amongst gay couples. In Key West, particularly, there are quite a few hotels that are Homosexual only. Two right on Duval Street. There are also hotels that say they welcome both types of couples. I am not sure about that particular hotel, not sure where it is, but the only problem as I see it was that the couples were not informed prior to check in. I would think that they should have said something sooner.
