Although overshadowed somewhat by the statement “I hate romantic comedies” from Sandra Bullock in an interview this weekend, the story that a gay couple were turned away from a B&B in Cambridgeshire made a significant impact on the world as we know it.

Michael Black and John Morgan were turned away from the B&B by its owner because of their sexuality. This type of discrimination has been illegal since 2007. Susanne Wilkinson, the owner of the B&B, had this to say. “I don’t see why I should change my mind and my beliefs I’ve held for years just because the government should force it on me. I am not a hotel, I am a guest house and this is a private house.”

Once again a Soldier of Christ thinks they are above the law. The law of this country is secular. And really dear Ms Wilkinson, the government is not asking you to be homosexual, which would be forcing something on you. Perhaps the confusion arises from her association with the service she is running. “I am a guest house,” she said, rather than saying that she ran a guesthouse with her husband. And while we’re at it, if you are a running a guesthouse that claims to be private surely you should only let people stay for no charge at all. The division between public and private dissolves when you start to charge for services.

There was once a time when the rejected couple would turn away and accept this humiliation. Not Black and Morgan, who reported it as a homophobic incident. In making this private affair a public issue they have done a great service to a great many people who will now better understand their rights.

Further Reading:

The BBC
The Guardian