Christian guesthouse owners lose appeal of conviction on ‘gay discrimination’
In upholding the conviction, Judges Sir Andrew Morritt , Chancellor of the High Court , Lord Justice Hooper and Lady Justice Rafferty, stated, “in a pluralist society it is inevitable that from time to time, as here, views, beliefs and rights of some are not compatible with those of others.” Peter and Hazelmary Bull The judges reiterated that not allowing homosexuals to rent a room amounted to direct discrimination in violation of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations-2007 , and said they “do not consider that the Appellants face any difficulty in manifesting their religious beliefs, they are merely prohibited from so doing in the commercial context they have chosen.” Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who run the Chymorvah Private Hotel from their home, were taken to court in 2010 by Martyn Hall and his civil partner Steven Preddy. The men had booked a room with the guesthouse as ‘Mr. and Mrs. Preddy’ but were turned away when they arrived and revealed they were a homosexual ...