SINGAPORE: Parkroyal Collection Pickering has apologised for an “unfortunate mistake and misinformation” after a member of its staff told a couple that same-sex wedding ceremonies were not allowed at the hotel.
The hotel apologised on Tuesday (Jun 21), a day after a screenshot of an email sent to the couple was shared on social media by Prout, a platform for Singapore’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.
“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,” the hotel said in an Instagram post.
“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.”
In a response shared by Prout on social media shortly after the hotel's post, the couple acknowledged Parkroyal Collection Pickering for its apology, but added that it would not hold their wedding there.
“We thank the Parkroyal Pickering for publicly and privately apologising to us,” the couple said.
“We accept the apology and appreciate the change in direction from the hotel to allow for such celebrations moving forward.
“Having said that, understandably we won’t want to hold our wedding there now.
“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 statement was signed “thelesbiancouplewhojustwanted2gethitched”.
Parkroyal Collection Pickering is seen in the background during the 14th edition of pride event Pink Dot on Jun 18, 2022. (File photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)
Prout did not name the hotel in its initial posts, describing it as “a 5 star hotel that neighbours Hong Lim Park” with “vertical greenery”.
Its initial post also included a screenshot of the email by the hotel's employee, which read: “I am sorry to inform you that the hotel does not allow same sex couples to have wedding ceremony and celebration due to the regulation".
Prout said that the staff member’s statement was “particularly disappointing” as the hotel is popular among Singapore’s LGBTQ community and has a history of supporting the annual pride event Pink Dot, which is held at Hong Lim Park.
Parkroyal Collection Pickering has in the past posted supportive messages on social media about Pink Dot, with the event identifying the hotel as a corporate contributor for its 2013 edition.
Pink Dot returned last week for its 14th edition following a two-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The hotel apologised on Tuesday (Jun 21), a day after a screenshot of an email sent to the couple was shared on social media by Prout, a platform for Singapore’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.
“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,” the hotel said in an Instagram post.
“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.”
In a response shared by Prout on social media shortly after the hotel's post, the couple acknowledged Parkroyal Collection Pickering for its apology, but added that it would not hold their wedding there.
“We thank the Parkroyal Pickering for publicly and privately apologising to us,” the couple said.
“We accept the apology and appreciate the change in direction from the hotel to allow for such celebrations moving forward.
“Having said that, understandably we won’t want to hold our wedding there now.
“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 statement was signed “thelesbiancouplewhojustwanted2gethitched”.
Parkroyal Collection Pickering is seen in the background during the 14th edition of pride event Pink Dot on Jun 18, 2022. (File photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)
“PARTICULARLY DISAPPOINTING”
Prout did not name the hotel in its initial posts, describing it as “a 5 star hotel that neighbours Hong Lim Park” with “vertical greenery”.
Its initial post also included a screenshot of the email by the hotel's employee, which read: “I am sorry to inform you that the hotel does not allow same sex couples to have wedding ceremony and celebration due to the regulation".
Prout said that the staff member’s statement was “particularly disappointing” as the hotel is popular among Singapore’s LGBTQ community and has a history of supporting the annual pride event Pink Dot, which is held at Hong Lim Park.
Parkroyal Collection Pickering has in the past posted supportive messages on social media about Pink Dot, with the event identifying the hotel as a corporate contributor for its 2013 edition.
Pink Dot returned last week for its 14th edition following a two-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading...