The Isle of Man Chief Minister, Allan Bell, has strongly condemned discrimination against a lesbian couple that was refused a home by an anti-gay landlord, calling it ‘ugly’ and ‘outdated’.

Following a successful campaign by the couple, the LGBT Network charity, and Gay Star News, the minister also pledged to speed up equality legislation for LGBT people on the Isle of Man as to prohibit any such anti-gay acts in the future.

Bell, Member of the House of Keys said today (13 May): ‘I am extremely disappointed that this type of ugly, outdated prejudice survives after all the work that been done over the past twenty years or so to make the Island a more tolerant place.

‘I do believe that our society today is generally much more tolerant than it used to be. But this incident shows that there are still isolated pockets of bigotry that can only be tackled through legislation.

‘An Equality Bill, based on the UK Equality Act of 2010, is already in the drafting process and will deal with discrimination of this kind.

‘I have asked that preparation of this legislation be accelerated.’

The Chief Minister concluded: ‘I have a clear message for those inside or outside the Isle of Man who still think this is an outpost of old-fashioned prejudice.

‘This is a modern, caring, compassionate and inclusive society and we do not want to be associated with bigots who live in the past.’

The couple, Kira Izzard and Laura Cull, was shocked when a landlord said he doesn’t want a same-sex couple moving into his property, revealed a story broken by GSN.

Izzard and Cull then contacted the LGBT Network charity for help and set up an online petition to ask the Island’s government to pass an equality bill to protect the Isle of Man’s LGBT community from any further discrimination.

Speaking with Gay Star News, Rob McDowall chair of the LGBT Network who has helped Izzard and Cull’s case, said he was extremely pleased with the minister’s announcement.

McDowall stated: ‘Discrimination in all it’s forms is intolerable and I am delighted the Chief Minister agrees and has pledged his commitment to speeding up the legislative process to realize equality for the Isle of Man’s LGBTQ community.

‘This is a historic moment for the LGBTQ community on the Isle of Man and we are pleased to have been involved and will continue to work with our members to ensure true equality is realized.’

Izzard also expressed optimism and told Gay Star News: ‘we’re over the moon that so many people have heard us and that the government are taking this matter seriously and accelerating the process.

‘With social network being the way it is today it was pretty much word of status and a friend of mine referring me to LGBT Network who have been absolutely priceless in their help and information.’