TOPICS: Mainstream media. New UK media reporting of Equality Act developments. UK gay tourism and gay travel market. Gay consumer target marketing. London. UK. Gay hotels worried about potential impact of Equality Act. Gay-only and same-gender gay market properties may fall foul of new UK Equality Act regulations. You are at the Out Now Gay Market News -- Gay Marketing 101 gay market updates site.
To reach our main site on lesbian and gay market research, gay advertising and gay marketing strategies, visit OutNowConsulting.com. To contact us, email info@outnowconsulting.com
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Last week, Out Now data was referenced in a Times Online (UK) item regarding the gay market and the impact of forthcoming regulations under the Equality Act. We think that the wording of the Equality Act may have a nasty sting in the tail for lesbian and gay run business, as the new laws can prevent same gender, or gay-only, businesses who trade with the public being able to positively discriminate in favour of their intended gay-only clientele.
In other jurisdictions the wording of relevant non-discrimination laws sometimes refers to protecting against discrimination on the basis of 'homosexuality' rather than the new UK laws more sweeping "sexuality".
It is a concerning time for some proprietors of gay run businesses in the UK as they wait to see whether their traditional gay only business focus may be affected by these new laws. If the aim is to protect the minority interests of gay consumers against discrimination, it seems peculiar that the practical effect of the laws may be to force some gay business to go out of business.
Most importantly, gay consumers may be denied the freedom to choose a gay specific product offering if they wish to consume one, and we think that is wrong, and is not in anybody's interests. In practical terms the market may sort this out over time, but it is concerning that business targeting a gay-only market may be unable to continue their business.
The new laws are very important, but we feel that the current concerns of gay business proprietors may not have been fully considered by those responsible for recommending the wording of these new UK Equality Act regulations.
It is somewhat glib to say that "equality matters much more" than what would seem to be very genuine concerns held by lesbian and gay business people -- who fear losing their business and their livelihoods as a result of consequences of these new laws. Gay consumers may also realise belatedly that their consumer choice options have been diminished as a result of the practical impact of provisions of the Equality Act.
The Times news item has been re-addressed online as The Times today relaunched their website, so we have reproduced the article in full below. It is also referenced in South Africa on the impact of Equality Act regulations on UK gay hotels.
The Times online -- January 31, 2007
Homosexual tourist hotels fear equality law
They want right to refuse heterosexuals. Rules change will hit the 'pink' market
Hoteliers chasing the pink tourist pound have joined criticism of a law outlawing discrimination against homosexuals. The hotels, which cater for the thriving “exclusively gay” tourism market, say that they should be exempt from the Sexual Orientation Regulations as they will be forced to accept heterosexual guests.
Some say that a ban on “gay only” advertising could put them out of business. There were also concerns that some heterosexual couples might be unhappy if they unwittingly booked into a gay hotel.
John Bellamy, who runs Hamilton Hall, in Bournemouth, described the new laws as “discrimination against gays”. He said: “We are a unique venue and we only admit gay and bisexual men. Under this law, we would go out of business. This so-called anti-discrimination law is actually discriminatory as it discriminates against gays.”
Another hotelier, Mark Hurst, co-owner of the exclusively gay Guyz hotel, in Blackpool, said that his gay clientele would feel uncomfortable mixing with straight customers. The hotel had been catering for the gay market for the past 20 years, but only went “exclusive” last year because of customer demand. He said: “It’s not all good news at all. I don’t welcome it one little bit. We intend to stay ‘men only’ exclusively for as long as we can.
“When we had a mixed environment, with gay, bi and heterosexual customers, people didn’t behave as they naturally would.
“Here in the hotel now we have gays who cuddle up when they’re watching a film but that never happened before. If this law is introduced it will deprive gays of a place where they can be themselves.”
Mr Hurst added that if the law was passed, he would apply for an exemption. He said: “At the end of the day, this is our home and as a landlord we have the right to refuse entry to anyone without giving a reason.”
According to figures from Visit Britain and Out Now Consulting, the gay market is now worth £3.5 billion a year and represents a significant slice of the tourist industry.
In 2005, about 146,000 gay and lesbian visitors came to Britain from the United States alone, and internationally it is a top ten tourist destination for gays. A survey by Visit Britain states: “The brand-loyal gay and lesbian market is a key niche. Traditionally gays and lesbians are well-educated, have an above-average income and a high propensity to travel off-season as well as during the peak holiday months.”
The concerns have been dismissed by the gay rights group Stonewall, which says that equality is more important than the right to be exclusive. A spokeswoman said: “What gay people gain through having an equality law is much more than whether we can just run gay hotels.”
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