Airbnb hosts slammed for “fatphobic” rule

Airbnb hosts slammed for “fatphobic” rule

The hosts of an Airbnb cottage in Kent are under fire after banning people with “eating disorders” from staying at their listing.

Hosts Zsu and Marcus have been branded ‘fatphobic’ after posting an ad for their property, Bobbit’s Lair, stating “NO persons with eating disorders may book we have a maximum weight 100kg pp”.

According to Kent Online, body positivity activist Lindsay McGlone told her 16,900 followers on Instagram not to stay at the property.

“Please don’t stay at Bobbits Lair, Kent. They should be held accountable. How is this acceptable?” she said.

“I want you to call out fatphobic language.”

The ad was later amended to say “no persons maximum weight 100kg PP very old oak beams”.

The listing appears to still be active on Airbnb; however, all mention of weight restrictions seems to have disappeared.

Source: Airbnb

Zsu and Marcus defended their actions in response to the furious comments explaining they realised the limit would be necessary when someone asked about the bath size and how wide the doors were.

“We said “not suitable for disabled guests,” they said.

“Then the penny dropped once they booked. We had to cancel as the cottage could have been seriously damaged during their stay.

“Understand the pictures are wide-angle; bigger than average people are NOT ALLOWED TO STAY!”

The £199 ($350) listing is a restored 15th-century cottage in the medieval village of Sandwich complete with a hot tub and fire pit.

A spokesperson for the home-sharing platform told Travel Weekly its mission was to “create a world where everyone can belong anywhere”.

“Discrimination and bias have no place in our community, and we have suspended the listing while we address the matter raised,” the Airbnb spokesperson said.

“We enforce a strict non-discrimination policy and under our Open Doors initiative, if a guest feels they have been discriminated against, we will provide personalised support to ensure they find a place to stay.”


Featured image source: Airbnb

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