KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- Three heterosexual couples said they were turned away from a hotel in this gay-friendly tourist destination because of their sexual orientation, which would violate city law.
The six were vacationing with a gay couple and had reservations at Big Ruby's in downtown Key West when the three straight couples were turned away.
"The manager literally said, 'We don't want you here,"' said Jim Pirih, who had vacationed at Big Ruby's last year with his partner, Jason Williams.
The group, most of whom are from San Diego, was already settled in their rooms Wednesday when the manager told the straight couples they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property, Pirih said.
"He said he had to appeal to the majority, and the majority of guests wouldn't want straight people there," Pirih said.
The six were allowed to stay one night, but had to check out Thursday morning and were told they wouldn't be compensated for the inconvenience, Pirih said.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/04/16/state1553EDT0096.DTL
The six were vacationing with a gay couple and had reservations at Big Ruby's in downtown Key West when the three straight couples were turned away.
"The manager literally said, 'We don't want you here,"' said Jim Pirih, who had vacationed at Big Ruby's last year with his partner, Jason Williams.
The group, most of whom are from San Diego, was already settled in their rooms Wednesday when the manager told the straight couples they would have to leave, citing a policy of not allowing heterosexuals on the property, Pirih said.
"He said he had to appeal to the majority, and the majority of guests wouldn't want straight people there," Pirih said.
The six were allowed to stay one night, but had to check out Thursday morning and were told they wouldn't be compensated for the inconvenience, Pirih said.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/04/16/state1553EDT0096.DTL