If you like to ski, you might want to avoid Wolf Laurel resort in North Carolina. The proprietors there fired their photographers after finding out they were lesbians. There had been no complaints about the photographers’ work, and in fact the proprietors continue to use their photos in publicity materials. Pam has the story.
There are still plenty of people in this country who mistakenly think that federal law protects gays and lesbians from employment discrimination. It doesn’t, and these two women have no recourse other than to publicize their firing and hope that good people will refuse to do business with bigots.
Wolf Laurel Resort has never been gay “unfriendly”. For many years Gay, lesbians, and straights have and still work and play on the mountain in harmony. Fact is, I have never seen one problem from anyone, either owners or patrons with regards to orientation, race, or religion. It has always has been and still is a very friendly place for “everyone”.
Everyone knew this couple was gay, and contrary to what the girls say they were publicly very affectionate with each other. As you may surmise there are many people that don’t agree with that lifestyle.
Now you have a disgruntled “couple” that are not the “photographers” anymore. They were never employees. They were allowed to stay and photograph the skiers and they sold the photos directly to the skiers. Granted a few of the photos wolf laurel used, but it in no way compensates for what the girls got for nothing for two years.
I believe stopping the photographing by these girls was based solely on a business decision. I know Orville, and he is as straight as they come, but never have I witnessed any hostility toward anyone based on sex orientation, race, or religion. He is the easiest going person you could ever run across.
That resort is indeed very family oriented and a vast majority of the patrons are church people. From what I’ve seen in the past, even with some complaints about these two being Lesbians, the owners did and said nothing. They don’t even allow alcohol up there.
Now this couple travels out of the “bible belt” to get married and comes back to Asheville and flaunts the fact, not only in Asheville, but also in a manor that gets to his primary clients, the church groups. When you have these church groups calling and writing saying they won’t be back because of this couple, I believe it’s a business decision, not one of bigotry. Anyone, straight or gay that cost money goes by most standards in this country.
No I don’t work there nor do I have any affiliation with them, just a happy skier.
Those girls have only hurt themselves with this attitude. Everyone is still welcome and overly friendly up there regardless of orientation.
Wolf Laurel knew they were gay and still gave them a free ride for two years. They cut their own throats, and continue to do so. It’s like killing the chicken that was laying the gold eggs.
Sarah