Homophobia at the Premier Inn

Valli

springer211 wrote: »

The issue is with schools, libraries and parental control at home.

No, this issue raised on this thread is that Premier Inn have a firewall which blocks certain keywords, one of which is lesbian

springer211 wrote: »

The message is that being gay or lesbian is something dirty, to be ashamed of, that can't be spoken about.

Not at all; no one has suggested that thus far. Given that many young teens have access to the internet through other means they can find and explore websites like these if they need to. No-one has said this AT ALL.

Stay on topic, please.

iclayt

As a lesbian myself I literally cannot believe you think this is homophobia. This is obviously in place to protect children etc from accidentally coming across things they should not see at that age. Presumably these were shared computers in the foyer or in other public areas of the hotel. Why would they want to risk someone accessing lesbian !!!!!! in view of everyone else?

Internet access is not provided by Premier Inn either, they have a separate company. When I had trouble connecting to WiFi there the reception staff put me through to the WiFi company call centre for help.

Your update to your website couldn't have waited until you got home, after taking your partner for a night away for her birthday? She's so lucky, btw. "Just off to do some admin babe, brb".

Here is actual homophobia which I experienced in a hotel:

At check in, staff were friendly, and we received an apology that we had been given a double instead of a twin. We said that's what we booked, it's correct - and their attitude changed entirely.
The power in our room was not working and they refused to move us to another room saying they were fully booked and it was a problem with the whole upper floor of the hotel. When we said that's obviously not the case, next door has their TV on and we've just seen someone coming out of their room with lights on, the reception staff giggled and suggested we think of other ways to pass the time. We went out, and when we got back had to get ready for bed in the dark by the lights of our mobiles. Call me paranoid but I still wonder if they managed to do this on purpose somehow.
At breakfast the next day, the waitress openly stared at us and said quite loudly "I don't want to serve them", pulling a face when her boss made her, slamming down our food and hot drinks and scuttling away.
I was in tears by this point and we asked to see the duty manager, who just about managed to say "I'm sorry you feel this way".
Checking out at the desk, as we walked away the receptionists muttered between themselves, and we definitely heard the work "gross".

We're just a normal couple. We're not touchy-feely in public, we could have been two friends on a night away, but because they knew we were a couple we were treated disrespectfully and differently and it still upsets me to this day, a few years later.

We complained, but it was an independent hotel (which we had booked as a treat, more expensive than the premier inn and other chains) and the manager simply offered an apology, a promise that better staff training would be put in place, and the offer of a discount on another night's stay, which we rejected, and left the matter at that, because all I wanted was for the night to have never happened and that's not something he could manage.

On the other hand, when we stay in a Premier Inn we are treated with the utmost respect, not a flicker when we check into a double room, and it's now our first choice of budget hotel.

Get a grip, OP.

Indie_Kid

Simple solution - buy a wifi hotspot / mifi and you can surf whichever websites you want...

OlliesDad

springer211 wrote: »

That is why it's so harmful to block such keywords, it's not just the premier inn. This would be a step to raise awareness.
The issues is with schools, libraries and parental control at home.
The message is that being gay or lesbian is something dirty, to be ashamed of, that can't be spoken about. They would hear their peers use the words negatively, even being bullied using those words yet not be able to find positive, supportive information.
If you think you want to protect your child, think that your child could be 'that' child, scared and isolated.

I think we have a winner for the biggest over reaction of the year.

According to statistics 83% of households have internet access - the reception of a Premier Inn blocking a keyword that is commonly used for adult sites is not going to prevent anybody getting help.

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

I started to read... even got to page 2 before giving in ....


well "giving in" was actually more of "why am I still reading this!!!!"


Ahhh well

NiallB

My immediate reaction to this is 'Pick your battles'.


While I understand where you're coming from, to describe this as 'Homophobia' trivialises and dilutes the many serious and dangerous incidents that happen to gay people everyday.

tomtontom

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

Wait a minute. Unless I'm wrong the OP didn't actually mention the name of her website so how can she be advertising it..?
When Premier Inn was Premier Lodge (when I worked for them, and this was only 9 years ago) they had a policy where same sex couples could not occupy a double room which I thought was disgusting (I'm bisexual myself) They did however have to change this policy so I'm not surprised that another issue has sprung tbh..

Having worked for Premier Lodge and shared a bed with another woman in countless PLs, I can confirm this is utter bunkum.

OlliesDad

tomtontom wrote: »

Having worked for Premier Lodge and shared a bed with another woman in countless PLs, I can confirm this is utter bunkum.

It sounds more like the poster is confused at what the policy was.. many hotels did not allow same sex parties, particularly in clubbing areas due to the trouble that stag/hen parties attract.

curlygirl1971

springer211 wrote: »

If you think you want to protect your child, think that your child could be 'that' child, scared and isolated.

Am not sure if this was directed at me specifically or the wider audience. If it was me then you've got the wrong end of the stick from me. (Which is twice on this thread so perhaps it's the way I word things). If I had children, then whilst I would want them to be protected I would also want them to feel safe, supported, accepted and informed. If they had an issue they felt they couldn't come to me about then of course I would want them to have easy access to other sources of information and support.

DCFC79

Bantex wrote: »

I am thinking of becoming a lesbian. Can anyone recommend any informative sites I can go to for advice?

Just dont go to the same Premier Inn as the OP and try and access the sites, might be blocked.