Guest user stuff

Miranda242
Level 2
Fuquay-Varina, NC

Guest user stuff

How come there isn't a place in forum for guest users to discuss things?  And why am I not allowed to use a preferred name?  At least to show I want to go by this without having to message every single host I stay with.  I go by Michael, I’m a trans man, this is ridiculous.  Airbnb will claim to be lgbt friendly as a company by showing which hosts are lgbt friendly but force me to out myself and/or whoever I’m bringing with me when I don’t always feel safe doing that.  Sure there’s the safety of hosts I guess but what about guest safety?  How do I know someone I’ve already booked with will be respectful?  It adds needless complication.

Michael B.I Lamont
5 Replies 5
Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Miranda242  These forums are open to all, both hosts and guests. There are many threads here started by guests, just as you have done. And as Airbnb is a symbiotic relationship between hosts and guests, I think it's quite useful for hosts to be able to see things from a guest's point of view and vice versa.

 

I believe you can create any user name you like. There are certainly guests who are using names which aren't their real names. Of course, if your official documentation is in a certain name, there's nothing you can do about submitting that to Airbnb for your verification. But hosts aren't privy to that info- we don't see the ID you submitted to Airbnb. We don't see your phone number until after a booking is confirmed, and we never see your email address unless you provide it to us.

 

As far as your safety and being open with hosts about your gender identification, hosts who are discriminatory are booted off Airbnb if their behavior is reported. If I were in a demographic that often experienced discrimination, I would be fine with letting a host whose place I was interested in renting know about myself by sending an Inquiry message before committing to a booking, because that would ensure my safety. It should be pretty easy to tell from the response you would get from a host as to whether you would feel comfortable dealing with them. If they should respond that they really don't feel okay with that, or some excuse as to why they can't host you that's pretty transparently a cover-up, you should report them to Airbnb.

 

There's plenty of reasons that a guest wants to get a sense of the host before booking, that don't necessarily have anything to do with discrimination, but do have to do with safety or feeling comfortable with the host. My listing is a 20 minute walk into town, and as I only host 1 guest at a time, I have had several inquiries from single female guests, asking if the walk is safe. Of course I can't guarrantee anyone's safety, but I let them know that neither I, nor any of my guests has had a problem with that, but that they should exercise the same precautions they would in any unfamiliar area.

 

Sometimes guests jump to the conclusion that they are being discriminated against when their booking being declined, has nothing to do with that. I remember a post from a guest who claimed her booking request had been declined because she was black, but she was unaware that guest photos are not visible to hosts until affter a booking is confirmed. When looking at her profile, it was pretty obvious why a host might have declined her- she was brand new to Airbnb and had no reviews (some hosts  who've had bad luck with new, clueless guests won't accept guests with no reviews), she hadn't bothered to write up any little bio on her profile, to give hosts a sense of the guest, and she had no verified ID, only a phone number. So many hosts might consider her not worth the risk, regardless of the color of her skin or anything else.

 

If you were to send me an Inquiry  message saying, "Hi Sarah, I found your listing and it seems like just what I'm looking for. I haven't been able to figure out how to change the name on my profile here, but I want to let you know that I'm trans and wish to be addressed as Michael, rather than the birth name on my official ID. Hope to hear from you soon.", you would get a reply like, "Hi Michael, Thank you for your inquiry and I'd be happy to host you. A guest's gender orientation is immaterial to me, and none of my business, but I appreciate you letting me know how you prefer to be addressed. I will pre-approve your inquiry and hope you will see fit to go on to book with me."

Liv
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

@Miranda242 

Hi Michael,

 

I’m really sorry to hear about your experience, but thank you for bringing this to our attention.

 

As you pointed out, inclusion and diversity are of extreme importance to Airbnb, as per our nondiscrimination policy.

 

With that in mind, we would appreciate it if you could take some time to talk to us so we can rectify the situation and also think of ways that it could be improved in the future. We have plans to make helpful information available and more accessible to users on the resource centre.

 

I have passed this on to the responsible team and an agent is getting in touch with you soon. Hopefully the issue will be resolved shortly.

 

Thanks a lot and please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Liv

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Hi @Liv , could it be as simple as having guests provide the name on their valid identification and then having a separate line for "preferred name"?  Seems like an super easy fix that would work for both hosts and guests alike.  

 

I absolutely agree with the other comment. I was frankly surprised to find that Airbnb, a supposedly LGBT+ friendly website, doesn't already have a preferred name option. It is such a simple change that would make a huge difference for trans guests (and one I see implemented on many websites these days). I should not have to individually out myself to every host in order for them to use my name and for many trans people, simply being reminded of their deadname is a painful experience (which is not what you want people to associate with you company!).

 

Having a 'preferred name' box that is the one that is shown to hosts would allow Airbnb to verify my legal name against my documents solves the safety issue while allowing me to engage with hosts with my actual name. It is also just a useful feature for anyone who goes by a nickname or middle name and doesn't want to add extra confusion.

 

It is also a little ridiculous that there is no way to comment or engage in this forum without my deadname being broadcast to everyone. I should be able to set a preferred name that is the default name used except for cases of identify verification.

 

I realize this is an older thread but I far as I can tell there has been no progress made on this in the past two years? I wonder if the helpful information you mention is the Airbnb Trans@ and AirPride LGBTQ+ Allyship Guide published in July after this thread which is very nicely written but in no way fixes the problems Michael brought up here. I appreciate Airbnb providing more information to guests and hosts and working to educate people but it doesn't change how hostile it feels to see my deadname every time I log in or talk to a host.

 

I recognize that changes to a large website can be complicated and rollouts can take a while so I am hopeful you are still looking for a solution to this. I am also willing to chat if more insights would be helpful so please feel free to pass my information along to the relevant team as well.

 

Best,

Briar (they/them)

Jenny
Community Manager
Community Manager
Galashiels, United Kingdom

Hi Briar (tagging @Annabel298 just so it notifies you)

I've sent you a Direct Message, can you pop me a reply when you get it?

 

Thanks so much.

 

Jenny 

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