The lodge which turned a lesbian couple away is making itself out to be a crusader against ‘unjust laws’ and politicians who ‘legislate against morality’. Its owners, who also run an Orthodox church on the premises, have posted an explanation for their anti-gay stance on their website, which reads: “Our national moral code has been based on generally accepted values which have even guided legislation. Essentially parliament's concern is matters legal and the peoples' concern is matters moral. When these line up we have peace and harmony but when politicians legislate against morality, a disconnect occurs. Unjust laws need to be questioned for if we fail to do this we will become corrupted by the law instead of edified by it. You are welcome to stay in our home, whatever your beliefs, so long as you respect ours.” The Human Rights Commission is looking into a lesbian couple’s complaint that they were told by one of the lodge's owners they could not have a shared bed, then advised to go somewhere else. While it doesn't comment on cases it's looking into, the Human Rights Commission says under the Human Rights Act, it is unlawful to discriminate against someone in the provision of goods and services because of their sexual orientation. There is an exception for 'shared residential accommodation' under the Human Rights Act, however this covers boarders in private homes, not people staying at lodges, motels or hotels. In the UK, the Christian owner of a bed and breakfast was last year ordered to pay damages after a court found her refusal to let a gay couple stay in one of her double rooms amounted to direct discrimination and a breach of equality law. Meanwhile Pilgrim Planet has apparently removed its Facebook page after it was hit with a torrent of criticism and humour.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 14th May 2013 - 8:30am