You’re fired: Yes, Dorothy, you can be fired for being gay in George Bush’s America. It happened to a lesbian couple from gay-friendly Asheville, N.C., who got married in Massachusetts – only to be fired forthwith by Wolf Laurel Slopes, a ski resort in nearby Mars Hill. Pam’s House Blend, based in even-gay-friendlier Durham, is on it:
This kind of hatred and bigotry has no place in my state. While I am not surprised at the depth of contempt some have for gay and lesbian citizens, this story is a reminder that you can be fired simply for being gay.
Here’s how the couple described what happened on their website:
We at All Terrain Images, Inc., are sorry to say that we will not be able to provide photography services for skiers and snowboarders at Wolf Laurel this year.
Just before opening day, the owners of Wolf Laurel Slopes, Orville English and Rick Bussey, informed us that we were not welcome back, despite the excellent service we have provided for the past two years. The owners of Wolf Laurel Slopes have both admitted that one of the reasons they will not have us back is because All Terrain Images, Inc., is owned and operated by a lesbian couple whose wedding announcement was placed in the local Asheville newspaper. We believe this is the only reason for termination of our agreement.
Tell Wolf Laurel Slopes how you feel about workplace discrimination: marketing@skiwolflaurel.com.
- Topic: News & Comment
- Topics: Gay Politics
Wolf Laurel Resort has never been gay “unfriendly”. For many years Gay and lesbians have and still work and play on the mountain in harmony. Fact is, I have never seen one problem from anyone, either owners or patrons with regards to orientation, race, or religion. It has always has been and still is a very friendly place for “everyone”.
Everyone knew this couple was gay, and contrary to what the girls say they were publicly very affectionate with each other.
Now you have a disgruntled “couple” that are not the “photographers” anymore. They were never employees. They were allowed to stay and photograph the skiers and they sold the photos directly to the skiers. Granted a few of the photos wolf laurel used, but it in no way compensates for what the girls got for nothing for two years.
I believe stopping the photographing by these girls was based solely on a business decision. I know Orville, and he is as straight as they come, but never have I witnessed any hostility toward anyone based on sex orientation, race, or religion. He is the easiest going person you could ever run across.
That resort is indeed a very family oriented and a vast majority of the patrons are church people. From what I’ve seen in the past, even with some complaints about these two being Lesbians, the owners did and said nothing. They don’t even allow alcohol up there.
Now this couple travels out of the “bible belt” to get married and comes back to Asheville and flaunts the fact, not only in Asheville, but also in a manor that gets to his primary clients, church groups. Granted, the right to marry same sex exists in Massachusetts, but not in the greater south. When you have these church groups calling and writing saying they won’t be back because of this couple, I believe it’s a business decision, not one of bigotry. Anyone, straight or gay that cost money goes by most standards in this country.
From what I have personally witnessed over the years at that resort, everyone is welcome and “overly friendly”, gay or straight. They have no issue with any group or affiliation as long as you don’t run off business.
No I don’t work there nor do I have any affiliation with them, just a happy player.
Those girls have only hurt themselves with this attitude. Everyone is still welcome and overly friendly up there regardless of orientation.
Wolf Laurel knew they were gay and still gave them a free ride for two years. They cut their own throats, and continue to do so. It’s like killing the chicken that was laying the gold eggs.
Sarah