AirBnb Bans Host Who Evicted Gay Couple From Texas Home
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- AirBnb has banned a host who allegedly kicked a same-sex couple out of a home they rented in Texas shortly after discovering they were gay.
According to KTRK-TV, Jonathan Wang and his partner Brent booked two nights in the Galveston home for a friend's wedding last week. After returning from the reception, the owner named "Heather" engaged them in a startling conversation:
"Heather asked me, where my wife was. Who is this person? I said it was my significant other Brent. She said I thought you were bringing a wife. I said I didn't say that specifically. I said is that going to be OK? She said. It's not," said Wang.
Wang said the hosts told them to get out. He said he began packing his things.
"She also commented while we were going upstairs that was their bedroom upstairs so they were even more uncomfortable with it," said Wang.
Wang and his partner eventually found a hotel room for the night. They later discovered there was a disclaimer on the bottom of the AirBnb listing, now removed, that said the hosts are "straight friendly" despite Galveston's reputation as Texas' gay friendliest destination.
When KTRK asked if she rents to gay couple, Heather said, "That's none of your business. That's my private home."
AirBnb responded by removing the owner from the website, saying it has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination and "clear guidelines that a host or a guest may not promote hate or bigotry."
AirBnb also gave Wang and his partner a refund.
