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Post by High Priestess on Jul 21, 2016 4:50:12 GMT
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Post by keith on Jul 25, 2016 17:07:03 GMT
While it could be better stated in their terms and conditions, almost no one reads them anyway, so there's little point. Even if someone did, it likely wouldn't keep them from posting a listing and discriminating.
I think the fact that AirBnB removes hosts when notified is much better than most sites who eitehr do nothing or add to the shame.
I'm not sure what people expect them to do. You can't know in advance how someone will behave.
All you can do is to state that you intend your platform to be inclusive and remove people who don't follow that policy. That's what they do.
Nothing anyone does will ever be enough, especially to someone who suffers and you can't make anything 100% preventative.
As for me, I've hosted a wide variety of guests and I hope all have felt welcome. I have a long list of gay bars in my listing and few have mentioned them, although I recently had a lesbian book who said that she really appreciated seeing them there as it made her feel more welcome even before booking.
I wonder if there are people who see that who don't inquire because they don't want a gay friendly listing?
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Post by High Priestess on Jul 26, 2016 14:21:37 GMT
I agree, Keith. There isn't more Airbnb can do than remove hosts who make overtly discriminatory statements -- however, depending upon the type of statement made, I think in many cases removal from the platform is too drastic and education or a warning is more appropriate. I think we are overly fixated as a nation on punishing people for alleged discrimination -- and policing people's behavior and attitudes about race, sexual orientation, and other "minority" categories. I don't think that doing such policing and applying force, penalty, punishment and shame to people who say or think certain things, is going to have the result we'd like. I think that a milder approach more oriented to education and support and encouragement, would be more appropriate.
The point you bring up about the drawbacks to stating one is gay-friendly, or listing gay bars, is probably a real consideration -- eg that some people could be made uncomfortable by this. Also, one could read that wrongly, and assume that a list of bars of any type indicated a host who was very oriented to bars and to drinking and partying.
Each person has to consider the types of guests they want to attract or that they do attract and do like any business and tailor your advertising for your desired market. I would guess that those using Airbnb tend toward the liberal side and those comfortable with diversity, and that the more conservative are likely to use hotels instead. But not always. I can easily imagine having two different guests in one's home, who would not like each other -- each guest might consider the other repellent or offensive in some way. That's life. Hosts who only have one guest at a time needn't worry about that, but hosts with more than one guest party would do well to think about such things.
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Post by CC on Jul 26, 2016 16:36:54 GMT
Why would being gay be an issue if you don't allow visitors and how would you know if someone's gay and what difference would it make?? People crash here for the night to break up their trip. They're gay. Who knows or cares?
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Post by High Priestess on Jul 26, 2016 16:46:22 GMT
how would you know if someone's gay Some people have "gay-dar"..... And some gay guests announce this about themselves quite prominently in their profile....I guess for them it's a major part of their identity-- I've never quite understood that. I have so many parts to me, so many elements to my personality --- and most are more interesting as well as more pertinent to developing bonds over shared interests, than is mere sexual orientation. Making a big deal over one's sexual orientation with people you dont' even know, has always struck me as difficult to understand....sort of like, saying, "here I come, I know you know nothing about me...but here's a very important fact!.... I have size 34 pants and like to wear yellow shirts so please know and beware and respect me for these things!!" As far as who cares -- probably most don't. But some we have seen, do seem to mind....
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Post by helgaparis on Jul 27, 2016 16:31:10 GMT
I'd prefer gay over depressive ;-) Sigh, my last guest was certainly a bit depressive and probably also gay. Not sure about it, Americans hide it better. To CC: how to know? Mine often tell me how they spent their day and evening and men calling to know if I did not find some fancy jewelry or maybe they lost it somewhere else, is a good hint. Two slit open and sifted through bags of vacuum cleaner and one unscrewed pipe so far.
That reminds me, I still have to remove the boxes and tools under the guest bed to look for a friendship ring a girl bought for her female friend. That's no high probability for her being gay, girls buy gifts for girls, I just remembered it.
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Post by CC on Jul 27, 2016 20:49:27 GMT
When I met Juliet of Memphis, she expressed her horror over this, but once I install my guests, I never speak to them again. It works for both parties. So if they're gay, they'll just go on and be gay, I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2016 21:07:54 GMT
I have never discussed another's sexual preference, and have no intention to begin.
This business is for renting rooms or accommodations, not judging peoples choices in their personal life.
I still think my most memorable guests were gay male guests. Always so full of fun and laughs, plenty of good conversations, always tidy, and no agenda.
One female guest who was into "Tantra sex" (or something I'd never heard of) attempted to try to convince me of the experience, as her mate (neighbor) was not interested, and had actually come to finally meet a man she had met on chat, rather than hang around with her female friend.
It was no problem for me to play ignorance, and just go about my duties rather than even travel down the road of explanation.
I personally don't think it's anyone's business what others do in the sexual area of their life, nor do I care to know.
It's a shame some people are so biased. I was taught God (or whatever term you choose use), loves us equally. But first we must love ourselves. This discrimination issue is getting way too far out. Next comes, had I known three ton Nellie was so morbidly obese, I would not have felt comfortable with her as a guest. Toddlers are not a good fit in this home, nor morbidly obese people. I'm afraid everytime she sits on a chair it will bust, causing me a lawsuit for her injuries of falling off a chair she chose to sit in as all the others have arm rests that she would not be able to fit into. How about declining due to the tone of voice they used and expectations they expressed above and beyond the listing amenities? This is going way out of control. Leave it to the gov't to get their nose in everyone's business and attempt to fix what didn't need fixing in the first place.
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Post by keith on Aug 1, 2016 15:07:52 GMT
I think, as hosts, what we can do is try to find ways to make people understand that we in fact do not care either way who they are as long as they're considerate of us, our spaces and others who may be staying in our spaces with them.
It is very real that people experience prejudice in the world and it's reasonable that they find spaces where they won't face discrimination.
While I wish it wasn't necessary, I think it's helpful to make our listings express inclusiveness.
Each may find a unique way of doing this, but I believe it's very helpful--first to invite and welcome people who might have concerns about their comforts and even safety while traveling to somewhere unknown, but also as an indication to people who are prejudice that they're just as unwelcome as everyone else is welcome.
I don't want someone here who will make another guest uncomfortable because they're black or muslim or gay or whatever reason. I welcome them and I prefer my guests to be as welcoming of others.
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Post by CC on Aug 2, 2016 18:02:10 GMT
I have IB. Translation: all are welcome. Guests must, however, realize that all may end up across the hall from them!
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