British Court Case Tests Tensions Between Equality Act Forbidding Anti-Gay Discrimination And Religious Freedoms

A court in Bristol Monday heard that Peter and Hazelmary Bull, the Christian owners of a Cornish hotel, that they turned away a gay couple because their religious beliefs prevent them from permitting any and all unmarried guests to share a single room, and that since 1986, when the couple purchased the hotel, that protocol has never been breached, according to a report by the Guardian. The case, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, is a test of the nation’s Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations enacted in 2007. Martyn Hall and Steven Preddy allege they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Earlier Monday, the court was told that Christian couple could have been “set up” by Hall and Preddy, who are in a civil union, and who said that they had no idea of the hotel’s policy prior to arrival. The same sex couple is being backed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and are seeking monetary damages. The Bull’s defence is being financed by the Christian Institute, a charity that works to protect “the religious liberty of Christians.” Preddy told court he booked a room via the phone after reading about the hotel on their website and that when the couple arrived in September, 2008, the manager, Bernie Quinn, told them of the policy prohibiting unmarried guests from sharing a single room. After being turned away, the couple reported the Bulls to the police. Mrs. Bull said "We accept that the Bible is the holy living word of God and we endeavor to follow that,” and that "This is our home; it's not some large corporation. We feel that under the eyes of God we need to feel comfortable there – and that includes sleeping arrangements. We feel that our faith and conscience means we are responsible for what happens under our roof and that the teachings of the Christian faith are opposed to sex outside of marriage."She also said that she accepted Preddy’s booking over the telephone when she was ill, and therefore failed to explain the hotel’s policy. “There’s no way I would have let them make the journey only to be disappointed,” she said. “We were very surprised when two gentlemen turned up the next day.” The case will continue Tuesday.