UK: Anti-gay Christian B&B couple receive death threats and website hacked with porn

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Two Christian guest house owners who prevented a gay couple from staying in one of their double bedrooms claim they have been the victims of abuse and have even had their website corrupted with porn.

Peter and Hazelmary Bull, from Cornwall, also faced death threats over their decision to refuse a room to Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy in 2008.

Business has nosedived following their lengthy legal battle. Their hotel policy says: “We have few rules but please note that out of a deep regard for marriage we prefer to let double accommodation to heterosexual married couples only.”

In an interview to the Mail, the couple say they have been forced into selling their nine bed hotel in Marazion, near Penzance, for £750,000 because last winter they “were actually shivering and were hungry”.

They also claim they have had the bolts removed from the wheels of their car and most recently found a dead rabbit nailed to their fence.

In January 2011 a judge at Bristol County Court ruled the Bulls’ behaviour amounted to direct discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, and awarded a total of £3,600 damages to Mr Hall and Mr Preddy.

Last August, the Bulls won the right to take their appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

The appeal, on 9 October 2013, will be heard at the same time as that of Susanne Wilkinson, who refused to let Michael Black and John Morgan share the same bed at The Swiss Bed and Breakfast in Cookham, Berkshire, during March 2010.

She lost her case against the couple in October 2012 and both men were awarded £1,800 each at Reading County Court for “injury to feelings”.

Mrs Wilkinson then lost the case at the Court of Appeal in July 2013.

The Equality Act 2010 states that it’s illegal to refuse to provide goods and services based upon a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

 

 

 

Comments (0)

MyPinkNews members are invited to comment on articles to discuss the content we publish, or debate issues more generally. Please familiarise yourself with our community guidelines to ensure that our community remains a safe and inclusive space for all.

Loading Comments