Woman banned from Airbnb after throwing gay couple out her home
A woman has been banned from letting out her home via accommodation website Airbnb, after she threw out a gay couple.
Jonathan Wang had made a $140-a-night B&B booking in Galveston, Texas to attend a friend’s wedding alongside his partner.
However, when Mr Wang turned up with his same-sex partner, the homeowner told him she has a “straights only” policy and refused to allow them in her home.
Mr Wang, who was in town for a friend’s wedding, told ABC: “This home was very gorgeous.
“[The host] Heather asked me where my wife was, and who is this person? I said it was my significant other Brent. She said I thought you were bringing a wife.
“I said I didn’t say that specifically. I said is that going to be OK? She said ‘It’s not’.”
It is not a crime to discriminate against people on the grounds of sexuality in Texas, leaving the couple with no legal recourse.
Heather, whose last name has not been revealed, told ABC: “I’m completely of my legal realms and morals.”
However, Airbnb have acted to ban her from their platform under their non-discrimination rules.
A spokesperson said: “We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination on Airbnb. The host in question has been removed from the site. Airbnb has clear guidelines that a host or a guest may not promote hate or bigotry.”
