Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

[geoffrey]

A young man applied for a job at one of the independent youth hostels in Brighton for which there was a flat for a couple. However, when he said that he was a single gay man the owner said 'Oh no thank you we don't engage poofters here'. I have since discovered that they have all-female dorms but no all-male dorms because they believe that all male dorms encourage homosexuality. I also understand that they accept no 'pairs of males' in Pride week. Surely these things are illegal.

[Amethyst]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

I don't know about Youth Hostels particularly but I'd say so based on the following

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25119158 ( http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup...C/2013/73.html )

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

[labman]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

I agree with Amethyst. Is this a real case or a fictional one? :beagle:

[teaboy2]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Is this related to your other thread, about a young male carer being told he can not have a job because they wanted a female. Sounds like you are for some reason bringing up examples of people or a person that may have, or you believe may have, sexually been discriminated against. Are you testing us, or are you legitimately seeking advice?

In any case, it is illegal to refuse accommodation based on sex or sexuality of a person under the ECHR reference provision of goods and services (Though exceptions, reference gender, may apply), as well as the equality act 2010 as pointed out by Amethyst.

Specific info on hostels and sexual discrimination in regards to ECHR is here - http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/a...nd-breakfasts/

[geoffrey]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

No, I am not testing you. I am a voluntary youth worker with a national organisation and am trying to advise young people who cannot afford to consult a lawyer. The questions that I send to Legal Beagles are the complicated ones, some of which have been on file for some time. 20+ years ago most questions about sex discrimination were from females now it is about 50-50 but it seems far more difficult to find answers in relation to discrimination against young males.

[RobRevolution]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

At the very least (if real), there has been a homophobic hate incident which can be reported. The following may be a good place to start:

http://www.stonewall.org.uk/document...l_gay_hate.pdf

[Amethyst]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

No, I am not testing you. I am a voluntary youth worker with a national organisation and am trying to advise young people who cannot afford to consult a lawyer. The questions that I send to Legal Eagle are the complicated ones, some of which have been on file for some time. 20+ years ago most questions about sex discrimination were from females now it is about 50-50 but it seems far more difficult to find answers in relation to discrimination against young males.

Thank you geoffrey for your honesty about the questions. It isn't an area we specifically specialise in so can only research through the case law and equality acts, but you are welcome and we're happy to try and assist where we can. If you want to private message me with your organisation it may be that you could put it, or an explanation, in your signature so it is clear you are asking on behalf of others otherwise you'll keep being asked the same.

And if you wanted to help others on other threads too of course that would be welcome.

[teaboy2]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Thanks for clearing things up a bit. The reason i asked if you were testing us, was purely because it's unusual to have questions related to similar issues from the same member, and we do have spies amongst us, that work for our enemies/competitors...Apparently.

So no matter how paranoid it may sound, i wouldn't put it past any of them to try such things just to find an excuse to slate us publicly, if or when they feel like it. It wouldn't be the first time or the last, look at RLP and the letter they sent LB after they lost the oxford test case, talk about sour losers lol.

[jon1965]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Much as i disagree with it I think that if it is Church funded they can refuse. No doubt no one will be surprised to see me answer this one being a card carrying homo and all.
Sorry if i misundersttod but you are saying single sex female rooms are ok but men have to go in mixed sex dorms?

There are plenty of organisations that will help with and queries (pardon the pun) such as stonewall or the various LGBT organisations .
You do not have to be in that group to want to fight for equality

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/at_home..._area/3216.asp

http://switchboard.org.uk/

In my experience hypotheticals are best avoided, too many what ifs.

By the way if someone refused me a service because of my sexuality i would be at the front of the queue to complain although I do believe people are allowed to hold their own opinions

[bluebottle]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Naughty Cloggy! Lol!

On a serious note, all of us are different in our own unique way. Just because someone's sexual orientation is different to the default heterosexual option, this does not give anyone the right to treat that person in an adverse manner simply because they are different. As a so-called Christian couple who ran a hotel found out to their cost, just because two people who are different and don't share your beliefs as to how things should it doesn't give you the right to treat them like a pariah. Human rights law allows a person to practice whatever faith they choose, both publicly and in private, but in exercising that right, you are not permitted to impose your faith or beliefs on others, even if others have different faiths or beliefs to yourself.

When I was a policeman some years ago, there was nothing more upsetting than attending suicides of young people who were unable to come to terms with the fact that their sexual orientation was different to the default option. Having to break the news to their families was the worst part because they loved their son/daughter/brother/sister regardless of their sexual orientation.

In more recent years, I attended the funeral of a friend's stepson who was gay and had committed suicide because he could not come to terms with the fact he was different. His name was John and he was a gifted art student. At his funeral, the crematorium chapel was packed and mourners were standing outside as well. The vast majority of the mourners were students who knew John and most of them were straight. After the service, I had the opportunity to speak to some of them and the one thing that stood out more than anything else was that they couldn't give a hoot that John was gay, only that he was John, he was their friend, whom they loved, but had been taken from them by death and that upset them deeply. He was aged 18 years when he died.

[geoffrey]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Re; Border Collie's message. Yes, Females have a choice of all female rooms or mixed sex rooms but males have to stay in mixed sex dorms in some Brighton (and other) independent youth hostels. At least one is homophobic but the young man who made the enquiry via out youth helpline wished to stay in al all male room by order of his new wife!

We have helped many young people of homosexual / lesbian orientation and it is shocking to hear of yet another gay suicide. First of all they are people, God's children, it matters not whether they are gay or otherwise or right handed or otherwise.

[jon1965]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

I thought the question was about a gay man who applied for a job that came with accommodation.

I believe that there is clear discrimination if single sex dorms are only available for women.

I have to say that you will polarise opinion by using the word god as that brings a whole new level of bigotry into the argument

[teaboy2]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

He can take them to tribunal for sexual discrimination or to court. He will likely get damages for distress caused as a result of what they said.

[wales01man]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Tribunals Damages? Always turns to money,
You can pass as many anti discrimination laws as you want but some people will not accept others who are not the same as them.I have GAY friends Ethnic friends Disabled friends and Muslim friends I am friends with them because who they are not what they are that matters nothing .
I was brought up in a time when we called certain types of people certain names I cannot put on here does not mean im Homophobic or racist

[teaboy2]

Re: Sexual Orientation Discrimination by youth hostel.

Tribunals Damages? Always turns to money,
You can pass as many anti discrimination laws as you want but some people will not accept others who are not the same as them.I have GAY friends Ethnic friends Disabled friends and Muslim friends I am friends with them because who they are not what they are that matters nothing .
I was brought up in a time when we called certain types of people certain names I cannot put on here does not mean im Homophobic or racist

So your saying he should just accept it, and not enforce his rights?!

What if it was you and they said you can't stay their or have the job as they don't like straight people!!