Ratio Decidendi
A hotel owner who refused a double room to a same-sex couple in a civil partnership committed direct discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. The restriction was not a proportionate means of manifesting religious belief.
Facts
Mr and Mrs Bull ran a private hotel with a policy of only letting double rooms to married couples. They refused a double room to Mr Preddy and Mr Hall, a same-sex couple in a civil partnership.
Judgment Summary
The Supreme Court held this was direct discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007. The right to manifest religious belief did not justify discrimination in the provision of services to the public.
Key Quotes
"Sexual orientation is a core component of a person's identity which requires fulfilment through relationships with others of the same orientation."
— Baroness Hale
Subsequent Treatment
Applied in subsequent religious freedom vs equality cases including Lee v Ashers Baking Company [2018].