Gay rights bill 'threatens hotel'

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation will be outlawed

A hotelier who runs a gay-only guest house has said the government's anti-discrimination bill would be a step backward for gay rights.

The Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs), which are due to come into effect in April, outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Mark Hurst, 47, said the proposed legislation would force him to open his doors to heterosexual guests.

He said that may put off many of his gay guests and put him out of business.

Mr Hurst, who runs Guyz hotel in Blackpool with his partner Steve, said: "Rather than improve gay rights, it will make things much worse. We run a gay hotel exclusively for men.

It's very unlikely there are going to be hundreds of heterosexuals banging on the doors of gay hotels Peter Tatchell

"We feel if we were forced to a situation where we had to accept heterosexual people into our hotel, our gay clientele will not behave as naturally as they would now.

"Many of them would feel more self-conscious. Many of our guests like to just sit on the settee in the lounge and cuddle up to watch a film.

"They can hold hands and have a little kiss and would behave in a way they may not if they were in a mixed crowd," he said.

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said Mr Hurst was making a fuss over nothing.

He said: "I think this is a bit of storm in a teacup.

"Just as there aren't going to be hundreds of gay couples descending on Catholic adoption agencies, I think it's very unlikely there are going to be hundreds of heterosexuals banging on the doors of gay hotels demanding to be let in."

The regulations have applied in Northern Ireland since 1 January and are due to be implemented in England, Wales and Scotland by April.