Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Sandals Resort Chain Drops Anti-Gay Stance

(Link) When enough advertisers refused the company's ads for honeymoon getaways to Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Bahamas, Sandals finally backed down on its "straight couples only" stance. Sun and sand for everyone! Woo hoo!
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LNewsEditor said...

JIC Post:
By Ben Townley
Gay.com U.K.

Holiday resort chain Sandals has finally agreed to drop its ban on same-sex couples, after consistent campaigns calling for the change.

The company, which organizes exotic breaks for couples in the Caribbean, has faced criticism for its ban on lesbian and gay holiday travelers.

Last year advertisements were pulled from public transport in London, after the capital's mayor responded to calls for action against the company. On Tuesday he hailed the turn-around as an important step in the fight against homophobia.

"We now have an outcome that is a big step forward for equal rights. It shows that public authorities, which offer advertising like on the London Transport system, have the power to persuade companies that it really is not in their interests to discriminate," Mayor Ken Livingstone said.

"I hope any other companies practicing this kind of discrimination will think long and hard and change their policies."

The ban on gay and lesbian couples had been maintained as necessary by the company, despite the high-profile objections.

The gay rights group Stonewall said the lifting of the ban was "long overdue."

"Stonewall has worked energetically for the last year to get this ban lifted and welcomes Sandals' decision to stop discriminating against lesbians and gay men, which is long overdue," chief executive Ben Summerskill said Tuesday.

"It makes no sense from an ethical or commercial perspective to exclude an entire section of the population in this way."

Sandals operates resorts in Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Bahamas and is known to focus on honeymooners and newlyweds.

11/29/2005 9:19 AM

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