This story (which I saw over at the Blend) points up the fact that it is perfectly legal to discriminate against gay people in many states, including especially South Carolina:
– Affordable Suites
A gay couple looking to rent a hotel room say they were turned away because of their sexuality.
“She wasn’t discreet about it,” said Jason Pickel, referring to a hotel employee. “She was not apologetic. She just said, ‘We do not rent to gay people.’”
For the past two and a half years, Pickel and Darren Black Bear have been in a committed relationship. During a search for a temporary home, the couple says it went to Affordable Suites of America, a long-term stay hotel located on Gion Street in Sumter [S.C.].
“We were inquiring about the price, deposits, extra person fee, and she asked who the room was going to be for, and I said for my partner and I,” Pickel said. “She said, ‘Oh we don’t rent to multiple people of the same sex.’ I said, so you don’t rent to gay couples? She said, ‘No, we don’t rent to gay people at all.’”
The website for Affordable Suites of America states the company does not allow children or pets in its suites, but there is no mention of same sex couples.
A reporter from the news department at television station in Columbia, S.C., posed as prospective renter and called Affordable Suites to check on the story:
The receptionist who answered the phone told us the following: “Our policy is we don’t rent to two people of the same sex if we only have one bed.”
Reporter: “Is that your policy?”
Affordable Suites: “That’s corporate policy because they only have one sleeping area.”
Reporter: “Okay, but they can’t share the bed?”
Affordable Suites: “I suppose they could, but most men don’t want to.”
Here is what is says on the Affordable Suites FAQ:
Can I bring my dog?
No. We love pets, but we do not allow them as guests.
How about my kids?
We are glad to allow children as visitors only. Our properties are all-adult and a maximum of two people per suite.
So, I can’t pile my buddies in the room and allow them to sleep on the floor?
No.
No pets, kids, buddies or gays. Got it.
So if, God forbid, I should ever be traveling with my sister or aunt through Sumter, S.C., we should skip the Affordable Suites? No problem.
Where Not to Stay: Affordable Suites’ Corporate Policy Forbids Renting to Gays…
A gay couple moving to South Carolina hit a roadblock in their search for temporary long-term housing when a reservation clerk at Afforable Suites refused to rent to them, reportedly saying,"Oh we don’t rent to multiple people of the same sex.&q…
An old story for Jesusistan. They’ll overlook incest, drinking, dope addiction, most anything but gays and abortions.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS COMPANY HAS TURNED AWAY GAYS. IT HAPPENED TO TWO WOMEN AT THEIR LOCATION IN SURFSIDE BEACH,SC TWO YEARS AGO.