[BB_Eye]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Do YOU have a better suggestion?

There is no better suggestion. That's my point. I happen to believe people shouldn't be refused a good or service simply because of their race, sex, disability or sexual orientation. I'm sorry you don't agree.

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

There simply isn't one because by whatever way it's looked at - someone will have to accept being forced to do something they don't want to do -whether the owner or consumer. So explain to me....how is that treating the person offering the business fairly? Oh..... it's not. It's making them accept clientele that they may not wish to accept - for whatever reason. But because they own a business, that's just their tough luck isn't it.

Quibbles about certain aspects of discrimination law aside, if you take issue with the fact that the services industry cannot discriminate against certain minorities, what would you say to a guesthouse that telling a black family 'we don't allow n*****s in our establishment' or a newsagent that refuses to serve muslims or women. Because like it or not, that is essentially what you are defending. You can't argue one minority's rights are more important than another, but since you are so keen to pick and choose, you'll be reassured to know that registered religious charities such as churches have been given special treatment and can opt out in most circumstances. Not that the charities in question have ever shown an ounce of gratitude.

Not forgetting that your point raises questions about discrimination carried out by businesses against employees too. If they can refuse to serve somebody, why not refuse to employ certain people? Weren't the very same arguments as yours used to justify open discrimination in the workplace in a bygone era? I don't expect a self-described feminist would approve of such things.

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

I'm entitled to my opinion and my opinion is that the whole Human Rights Act may have it's good side, there is a lot of down side to it as well.

Yes, as has been hammered home ad nauseum by the populist brigade, you are entitled to an opinion. Give yourself a pat on the back for pointing this out. Does this mean that people who disagree with you are afforded the same right and you'll henceforth refrain from fulminating against the 'arsehold(sic) joe public... throw[ing] a strop' -in your own words- when they raise objections to guesthouses that refuse a room to gay couples?

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Double edged sword as mentioned earlier. Damned if they do, damned if the don't.