A leading slimming company has reversed a ban on gay couples entering its competitions – just 24 hours after its discriminatory policy was reported in the media.
Slimming World, which runs over 6,000 fat-busting clubs around the UK, told one of its members, Jean-Paul Ravenk, that he could not enter the company’s Mr and Mrs competition with his partner of nearly two decades because they were gay.
Only heterosexual couples were allowed to take part in the contest to win a week’s holiday at a spa resort in Cyprus or £2,000 in cash.
Slimming World initially defended its gay ban in a letter to Ravenk, saying: “The title of the competition does suggest that it is only relevant for heterosexual couples and, as the competition has been very successful for many years, we would like to preserve what works for us.”
But an outraged Ravenk said he was “absolutely disgusted to be told that same sex couples cannot enter. If you provide a service to straights then gays should have the same service.”
He contacted the Equality and Human Rights Commission who told him that following the introduction of the new sexual orientation regulations in 2007, Slimming World was breaking the law.
Ravenk’s plight was reported in the media on 2 April and within a matter of hours, Slimming World had issued a statement announcing their change of heart.
Spokeswoman Jenny Caven said: “Slimming World has changed its competition policy to ensure that all future competitions will be open to everyone no matter what their sexual orientation.
“We are grateful to Jean-Paul Ravenk for bringing the error in our policy to our attention. Slimming World would like to sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused to the LGBT community.”