A well-reviewed hotel apologised to a same-sex couple after saying no when they tried to book their wedding ceremony there.
In an email that was later shared on social media, the Parkroyal Collection Pickering had told a lesbian couple that “the hotel does not allow same sex couples to have wedding ceremony and celebration due to the regulation.”
Prout, one of the platforms in Singapore for the LGBTQ+ community, shared the email in a Facebook post on Monday (June 20) just one day after Pink Dot SG at Hong Lim Park, the biggest event in the community. This year, the event drew thousands of attendees, including two Members of Parliament.
“This is particularly disappointing as many within our LGBTQ community regularly book out the hotels at this particular hotel with vertical greenery, and the hotel clearly has no issue capitalising on the annual pride event held at Hong Lim Park, with Pink Dot goers booking out their rooms or their pink dollar,” Prout wrote.
Same-sex marriages are not recognized in Singapore, however, it’s not illegal to hold same-sex weddings, Prout continued, adding that the refusal from Parkroyal Collection Pickering was a “PAINFUL reminder” that although many businesses claim to include the LGBTQ+, they “may not actually do so in their everyday practice.”
Prout also noted that Parkroyal Collection Pickering is listed as an LGBTQ+ friendly destination on Google.
To its credit, the hotel apologised.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Parkroyal Collection Pickering said that it’s indeed an inclusive hotel.
“Thank you for your patience as we seek to understand this unfortunate mistake and misinformation from one of our team members at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering. We are an inclusive hotel, and we are truly sorry for the disappointment and inconvenience this may have caused. We have since reached out to the couple and will do our best to assist them with their special occasion at our hotel,” it said in an Instagram post.
The couple whose wedding was refused thanked the hotel for its private and public apology.
“We accept the apology and appreciate the change in direction from the hotel to allow for such celebrations moving forward.”
Nevertheless, and quite understandably, the couple is taking their wedding elsewhere.
Many netizens commented on Parkroyal Collection Pickering’s post to tell them to do better.
/TISG
https://theindependent.sg/1-attended-quietly-1-attended-making-sure-the-entire-nation-knows-about-it-netizens-compare-appearances-of-jamus-lim-henry-kweks-at-pink-dot/