Guesthouse owners lose gay ban appeal

Published on Saturday 11 February 2012 01:40

The Christian owners of a guesthouse who refused to allow a gay couple to stay in a double room have lost their appeal over a decision that they discriminated against the two men.

Three Court of Appeal judges dismissed a challenge brought by Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who run Chymorvah House in Marazion, Cornwall, against a ruling that they breached equality legislation when they turned away Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy in September 2008.

In a case described by one of the judges as being of general importance, the court upheld the finding of Judge Andrew Rutherford at Bristol County Court in January last year, that the Bulls had directly discriminated against the couple – who were awarded £3,600 damages.

Mr Bull, 72, and Mrs Bull, who is in her late 60s, regard any sex outside marriage as a “sin”.

They denied either direct or indirect discrimination.

They argued that their policy of restricting double beds to married couples, in accordance with their religious beliefs, was not directed to sexual orientation, but sexual practice.

Dismissing the appeal, Sir Andrew Morritt, sitting in London, with Lord Justice Hooper and Lady Justice Rafferty, said: “The judge concluded the restriction constituted discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Mr and Mrs Bull contend that this conclusion is wrong because they apply the restriction to persons of heterosexual and homosexual orientation alike if they are not married. But that cannot, in my view, be a sufficient answer.”