Being discriminated Against

[Deleted User]

Personally.. I do think it sounds like discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and gender. However, it doesn't sound like a homophobic discrimination.. just poor wording of their policies.

Of course, a company can discriminate on the number of people in your 'group'.. but by deciding a 'group' is just single sex is gender discrimination on each person in the group. It does sound like unintentional discrimination if they don't treat a mixed gender group in the same way as a single-gender group.

Just phone up and book each couple individually. If they refuse a same-sex couple, it'd be direct discrimination and you could happily take the matter to the authorities

fluffnutter

This is a case of a single individual not using any common sense. They have a policy of not allowing single-sex groups to minimise the likelihood of noisy hen/stag type parties. A policy that I can understand if they're keen to maintain a family friendly site. The only problem here is that the person applying the rule doesn't have the intelligence or common sense to see beyond the fact that all four are women and appreciate that not every group of women is a hen party hellbent on making a racket all night.

However, how can you actually tell whether a group of people is likely to make noise? There's evidence to suggest that hen and stag parties are noisy; these parties will typically be single-sexed. What can you do about that? Not much, other than to include a rule of 'No single-sex parties'. Once you've made the decision to do that, perhaps you need to stick to it.

The sexuality issue is an irrelevancy. Hopefully you'll have a lovely time at the alternative site you've booked, taded.

fluffnutter

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Personally.. I do think it sounds like discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and gender. However, it doesn't sound like a homophobic discrimination.. just poor wording of their policies.

Of course, a company can discriminate on the number of people in your 'group'.. but by deciding a 'group' is just single sex is gender discrimination on each person in the group. It does sound like unintentional discrimination if they don't treat a mixed gender group in the same way as a single-gender group.

Not allowing a single-sex group would only be gender discrimination if you specifically disallowed one gender. How can disallowing both genders be favouring one over the other?!

Mark_Hewitt

One of the biggest complaints against hotels etc I see on tripadvisor is that the are "full of stag / hen parties", so it's understandable the owners don't want to get a reputation for noise. Perhaps a little inflexible in the OPs case but it's not discrimination.

porlock

I'm not sure if this is a discrimination issue. They are enforcing their rule, which is no single-sex groups. This is common throughout Newquay - I've tried to book a hen-do there and gave up!

I would recommend searching for website specifically tailored to gay holidays in Newquay. I'm not suggesting that as you are gay, you have to stick to gay bars and gay-friendly hotels, but chances are they are familiar with this situation and might be able to offer advice.

Finally, I have to ask - have you been to Newquay before? Given that you are '30-47 with two dogs we just want a quiet peaceful break', I can't help but wonder whether Newquay is the best place for you at all! It is very rowdy and full of teenagers every night. It's hugely popular with hen and stag dos, and that's why lots of places have the policy you've encountered.

taded

Yeah we have been 10 yrs on the trot so I know where and where not to go. I surf so the main reason is so I can go to fistral and catch some waves. I have been in contact with stonewall and they have said that because they state on their site that mixed couples are allowed (not classed as a group???) in the terms and conditions its against the equality act 2010. So Im going to email them my concern and make them aware of this.

Mark_Hewitt

taded wrote: »

Yeah we have been 10 yrs on the trot so I know where and where not to go. I surf so the main reason is so I can go to fistral and catch some waves. I have been in contact with stonewall and they have said that because they state on their site that mixed couples are allowed (not classed as a group???) in the terms and conditions its against the equality act 2010. So Im going to email them my concern and make them aware of this.

Fair enough, let us know how you get on with things.

derrick

taded wrote: »

I did tell her that one couple were married

So you lied to her?
Same sex couples cannot be married in this country, they have a "civil partnership".

EG question H6 from the 2011 Census;-

- Husband or wife
- Same-sex civil partner
- Partner
- Son or daughter
- Step-child
- Brother or sister
- Step-brother or step-sister
- Mother or father
- Step-mother or step-father
- Grandchild
- Grandparent
- Relation – other
- Unrelated (including foster child)


.

[Deleted User]

fluffnutter wrote: »

Not allowing a single-sex group would only be gender discrimination if you specifically disallowed one gender. How can disallowing both genders be favouring one over the other?!

ok.. it might not be gender discrimination, but it is sexuality discriminating.

They've basically said that 2 heterosexual couples could stay, but 2 homosexual couples could not. i.e. mixed vs same sex.

If you allow 'multiple couple' bookings, you can't discriminate on their sexuality, therefore you can't say 'no same sex bookings'

porlock

Ah, OK - you know what you're doing, then!

I hope it works out for you. It may simply alert them to the fact that they need to think more carefully about the policies they put in place.