Calls for law change after landlord refuses tenancy

A gay couple on the Isle of Man are claiming they were prevented from renting a flat because of their sexual orientation.

Kira Izzard and Laura Cull, from Douglas, wanted to rent a house next door to their family but the landlord was acting within the law as there is currently no legislation to protect them from discrimination so the landlord was free to reject their tenancy.

Ms Cull, speaking to Pink News said:

“I was really upset and teary as we had our hearts set on that particular house. It is right next door to my sister and we could have literally watched my three-year-old nephew grow up.

“It then settled in that the reason we couldn’t rent the house was because of the fact we are a same-sex couple and my sadness turned to a complete numbness as it never occurred to me that this would even be a factor in this day and age and it felt like a personal attack.”

Civil partnerships were legalised on the Isle of Man in 2011, also allowing couples to adopt, but prejudice remains as homosexuality was illegal until 1992.

According to The Independent, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, Alan Bell,  has spoken out against the law:

“I am extremely disappointed that this type of ugly, outdated prejudice survives after all the work that has been done over the past 20 years or so to make the island a more tolerant place.

”I do believe that our society today is generally much more tolerant than it used to be. But this incident shows that there are still isolated pockets of bigotry that can only be tackled through legislation.

“An Equality Bill, based on the UK Equality Act 2010, is already in the drafting process and will deal with discrimination of this kind. I have asked that preparation of this legislation be accelerated.”