Sandals Resorts is an operator of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and part of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts and The Royal Plantation Collection. Sandals Resorts has a total of 14 couples-only properties, including eight in Jamaica, three in St. Lucia, one in Antigua and two in Bahamas.
In July 2009, SRI partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to bring customizable Martha Stewart Weddings to brides and grooms having a destination wedding at any of the 16 Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts beginning January 1, 2010. The companies also announced that they will introduce Martha Stewart Crafts classes for adults at Sandals Resorts and craft camps for families at Beaches Resorts in 2010. [1]
In August 2009, SRI announced the purchase of the former Four Season Great Exuma, which will debut as Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas on January 22, 2010. [2]
Human rights controversy
The company had a long-standing policy, dating from 1981, which banned gays from their "couples-only" resorts. The policy was variously stated by characterizing the accommodations as "resort for couples (heterosexual) only", or "Couples only. A couple is defined as one female adult and one male adult", "policies require male/female couples only", or "couples of the same gender are not accepted." Sandals' anti-gay policy received a great deal of publicity when stays at their resorts were offered as prizes in various promotions by companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo!, and US Airways in 1999.[3] Later reports indicated that some resorts also made no accommodations for the handicapped, prompting the ACLU to opine that companies offering Sandals stays as prizes, or otherwise doing business with Sandals resorts, might be the targets of lawsuits. The companies involved promptly severed their relationships with Sandals, stating they were unaware of its discriminatory practices.[4] Adverts for the company were banned from the London Underground in 2003 after public objections were raised.[5] Sandals ended its policy of refusing service to gay couples in August 2004 after further gay rights protests.[6][7]
The ban on homosexuals from Jamaican resorts was, the company claimed,[citation needed] necessary because of laws in Jamaica banning sexual acts between men, despite there being no law against sexual acts between women. These laws remain in effect although the company has rescinded its ban.
References
- ^ Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Sandals Resorts to Launch Martha Stewart Weddings Program in the Caribbean
- ^ Sandals Resorts International Purchases Four Seasons in Great Exuma, Bahamas
- ^ Gay rights travel flap snares Microsoft, Yahoo
- ^ The Microsoft & US Airways Anti-Gay Sweepstakes Controversy - February 1999 - complete information, press releases, screen captures
- ^ Tube bans 'anti-gay' holiday firm adverts | The Guardian | Guardian Unlimited
- ^ Liberty Line - 11/16/04
- ^ [1]
External links
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