Parkroyal Pickering SG apologises for turning away same sex couple looking to host wedding

Parkroyal Collection Pickering has apologised for turning away a lesbian couple who tried to book its venue for their wedding celebration. According to an email exchange, posted on the Instagram channel of Proutapp, a safe meet-up and support platform for the LGBTQ+ community, the hotel declined to host the same-sex wedding celebration because of regulations.

Since the incident, Parkroyal Collection Pickering explained that this was the result of an “unfortunate mistake and misinformation” from one of its team members. “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 added.

The hotel also privately apologised to the couple, who then shared that they no longer wish to host their wedding at the venue. “We hope that other hotels will be inspired by the Parkroyal Pickering and reconsider their own policies and communications towards allowing same-sex couples to hold their celebrations there,” the couple added.

Meanwhile, Proutapp also called out the business for claiming to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community, but not walking the talk.

“This is particularly disappointing as many within our LGBTQ community regularly book out the hotel rooms 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. This serves as a PAINFUL reminder that there are many businesses that may claim to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community but may not actually do so in their everyday practice,” it added.

Conversations around the LGBTQ+ community have slowly been increasing in Singapore. For example, last June Naumi Hotel Singapore launched its Pride Month campaign in partnership with Dear Straight People. In a post on its social media platforms, the publication shared that it held a photoshoot at Naumi Hotel Singapore featuring a married gay couple, and will be giving away a free staycation voucher for one of its rooms.

While the partnership was a one-off, a Naumi Hotel spokesperson said then that will continue to support the LGBTQ+ community through campaigns across the annual calendar. Stating that the hotel doors have always been open to all guests, she also shared that all its hotels in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand shared the same value.

In 2020, W Singapore also won praise for sharing a social media post featuring a same-sex couple dressed in bathrobes, laughing while holding drinks in their hands. Beside them were balloons with W Singapore's logo printed on it. While the post was not an ad by the hotel, it was a repost of user-generated content of guests. A spokesperson had then said, "We are in the business of welcoming all and occasionally feature guests with their permission on our social platforms.”

Meanwhile, in March this year, Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said in Parliament that the government is considering the “best way forward” with regards to the LGBTQ+ policies.

This year’s annual Pink Dot also made its colourful presence where for the first time, among the attendees were the People's Action Party (PAP) member of parliament (MP) Henry Kwek. The organisers said was the first time an MP from the ruling PAP has attended the event. The 14th edition of the event was held in the afternoon and evening, and saw media coverage in a range of publications – many of which were focused on the attendance of an MP from the ruling party. 

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