A Dallas Airbnb host is currently under investigation after they reportedly denied a gay couple from booking a stay.
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Curtis Kimberlin Jr exposed the host’s response when he told them that he and his boyfriend will be booking the stay for a wedding on January 7th. He writes, ‘Hi Peter! My partner and I will be flying into town for a weekend wedding and we’re really excited. It’ll be my first time in Texas and my parter is from Dallas, so he’ll be showing me around. We will be flying in Thursday night and landing at Lovefield at 7 pm then make our way over.’ He further explained that they will be out of the Airbnb for most of Friday to check out the area and Saturday for the wedding.
Love trying to book an @Airbnb with my bf in Dallas and having this be the first response to our booking. 🙃 pic.twitter.com/vVN9w1UW1P
— Curtis Kimberlin Jr (@ckimberlinjr) January 7, 2023
In response, the host Peter asked him ‘So I’ll be hosting two men sleeping together…right?’ Kimberlin said the host denied his request to book shortly after and explained to NBC 5 that he was stunned by the host’s reaction but is used to hiding his sexuality from conservatives.
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“I was shocked for sure, but I am also somewhat used to having to hide certain parts of myself to calm conservative folks’ reactions to my identities. I wasn’t completely surprised, more so disappointed.”
After posting the tweet, his followers requested Airbnb to suspend Peter for denying the couple based on his personal views and Airbnb said in response that he is currently under investigation during his suspension. Hilton Hotels offered the couple a stay after learning about the viral tweet.
Curtis – if you and your partner still need help with a stay, we got you! Please meet us in the DMs! 🫶
— Hilton (@Hilton) January 9, 2023
AirBnB is an absolute dumpster fire.
Book a hotel/motel.
It’s cheaper and they don’t discriminate.
— Mayor Konstantine Anthony🌹♿🧠 (@KonstantineinCA) January 9, 2023
@Airbnb how does your company enforce anti-discrimination to protect customers against experiences like this – or from actually arriving to a potentially dangerous situation? Traveling as an LGBTQ person/couple isn’t always safe & it’s likely this is not an isolated issue
— Matthew Michael (@matty_michaelb) January 8, 2023
I have had friends that were “escorted” off a property with a shotgun when the “hosts” figured out they were queer. I *always* check in advance now (when I *have* to use AirBnB or VRBO) that they are queer and trans friendly, for our own safety.
— Dr. Shanna Katz Kattari ♿️🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈✡️ (@DrShannaK) January 8, 2023
Kimberlin and his boyfriend accepted free accommodations from Hilton and said they were pleased with the customer service. The couple is still planning to visit Dallas for the wedding amid the news of the host’s suspension.
“If you are uncomfortable with people who look differently than you or have different identities than you, then don’t go on Airbnb,”