As a host can I make it clear my political view points? Is that allowed by AIRBB?

Dan700
Level 2
Nipomo, CA

As a host can I make it clear my political view points? Is that allowed by AIRBB?

Is it allowed to openly say that I support LGBT rights, abortion rights, civil rights, Black Lives Matter, you get the idea. And is it ok to post an animation ( on my AIRBNB posting) that shows V.Putin ( a murder as stated by John McCain)  holding a miniture Trump pupet that is dancing? And what about supporting california seccession from USA, as we are hated and its clear that the USA does not want our votes to count the same as other states? ( EC fiasco) . And what about stating that I oppose Neo Nazis, like in Charlotte and to state that members of my own family died in WWII fighting Nazi Germany/Japan? Is that okay? And then there is the talk of a new civil war I have heard ELECTED GOP officals cheerfuly bring up? Can I say that if they want one can I point out we can simply avoid one by not doing business with each other, go our on ways in a peaceable way, forming a new country? Is saying any of this okay? Lastly I didnt want any of this but when I see a president choose Putin/murder as a friend ( over demcratically elected leaders) and claim love for a N Korean dictator/murderer, perhaps its time to take a stand? I recall other GOP presidents that did not choose this path, I was good with that. This new change in the GOP I think is a very different state of affiars and if its civil war they want maybe its time to do the small things that one can to remind them that this is what they are pushing for. In short , these are differnt times , now  we have state run media, a president who claims press is enemy of the people ( ala Joe Stalin) , etc. I think its time to stand up to it at any point you can, even if it cuts into your $$. Chasing more $$ should not make one blind to nor tolerate what is occuring here  in USA. Its called fascism. 

64 Replies 64
Ana1136
Level 10
Ohrid, Macedonia (FYROM)

@Dan700 Airbnb is a hosting platform and not a place to express our beliefs in such detail. Also when you host you shouldn't impose them in any way to your guests or discriminate against people who don't share them because you will be delisted. If you are eager to share what you believe in, a personal Facebook page would be good for that, Twitter, Instagram.. maybe you can even start a blog. You can join forums that discuss on those  topics or you could find people who share your beliefs in your community. Literally each of these options is better than Airbnb. 

Ana, thx for the reply. Just to be clear, simply stating you support LGBT rights is to far correct? Even tho its really part of AIRBB anti descrim policy? And what about just saying that , in particular , you FULLY support all AIRBNB anti descrimination policies , is that allowed? And Ana are you a AIRBB employee? You statement that I would be delisted is that your opinion or?? I never said I was going to forbade or descrimniate based on politcal view, race , sex, ect on who I rent to. I would never do that. But do I have the right to state what I believe in so that potentail customers know who they giving the $$ to? I for one , as a renter , would prefer to patronize those I feel good about giving my $$ to, as a consumer I have the right to pick who spend my $$ , dont I?  SO really what I am asking is how far can I go to make it clear where I stand so that possible customers can make an informed choice? If they disagree with me , but still want to rent from me, I dont care. But if they would rather NOT patonize my rental due to my clearly stated polical views ( in a polite respectful way of cources) why shouldnt I facilitate that? 

Emilia42
Level 10
Orono, ME

If you are not worried about getting a lot of bookings, @Dan700, then yes, fill your Airbnb listing with all those things.

Dan700
Level 2
Nipomo, CA

Emilla42;   I didnt want this fight, but when I see neo nazi in USA  not being ridiculed and put in thier place, what choice do I have?  Should we all just weigh what we will put up with on the scale of $$?  And perhaps my bookings in Cali wont suffer but INCREASE as its a lliberal , renegade, socialist, communist, sanctary state filled with illegal immigrants? Perhaps you under esitmate what honesty could achieve?  Why should we all hide from each other? Isnt it time to drop the polite facade and show our true colors?  Certainly the message boards are filled with rude conversation  to the point of doing what I am advocating here on AIRBB seems rather tame.

Paul154
Level 10
Seattle, WA

@Dan700 

Why do you have to say you support LGBT rights?

Why do you have to say you support rights for black people?

To be less affrontive to your guests, be more inclusive and  just say "I support human rights"  Period

And then get off your high horse.

 

Helen3
Level 10
Bristol, United Kingdom

Sounds like you are making rather a meal of this @Dan700 

 

How about saying something like this

 

"Wherever you come from...whatever your sexuality or colour....regardless of your age...whether you practice a religion or have none, and whether or not you have disabilities, you will find a warm welcome in my home". (this assumes your places is accessible for people with disabilities if not tailor accordingly)

 

Your personal politics about the area where you live (not even where your listing is) and your president  aren't relevant to your Airbnb business.

 

@Paul154 why would a guest be affronted by a host confirming they positively welcome LGBT or black and minority ethnic communities. As I am sure you are aware they are the communities most likely to be descriminated against by hosts and some do look for signs that they are welcomed by a host when choosing to book.

 

A recent guest told me they were turned down by five hosts who according to their calendar had availability when they made a request to book and now only uses listings with IB. One of the reasons they chose my place was because they could see I had hosted guests from many backgrounds.

@Helen3 

In a perfect world, you are correct. Positively proclaiming support for a select group of people can be a positive thing. 

Unfortunately it often is  used hypocritically or as a weapon. 

"I support LGBT.... (therefore you are a bigot)"

"Some of my best friends are black. (Therefore nothing I say or do could be hurtful to black people)"

 

More importantly for hosts, minority guests want to enjoy their vacation. JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.  Minority guests  don't want to hear their hosts puffing and proclaiming their support. Minority guests don't want to be part of a host's drama.

 

 

Helen3
Level 10
Bristol, United Kingdom

As someone who is what you call a 'minority' guest and from feedback from my LGBT and BaME guests I would beg to differ.  Why would we see it as 'drama' that a host demonstrates someone from my background is welcome.

 

Those from various background who aren't bothered by these sort of statements welcoming diversity will just pass them by @Paul154 

Linda108
Level 10
La Quinta, CA

I appreciate people being passionate about their beliefs, whether I agree with their point of view or not.  While I support free speech and welcome discussions, I do not appreciate ANYONE shoving their ideas down my throat anywhere.   I will not do that to others and do not want it done to me.  

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Dan700  The wording @Helen3  stated is great and to the point and would probably put off the right-wing types from booking with you, which is likely what you'd appreciate. One host who posts here sometimes, has a sign in her garden to that effect as her opening photo in her photo gallery.

I am fully sympathetic with your feelings that it's crucial for people to take a vocal stand in these times, but as others have said, what you are proposing is inappropriate on a booking platform, just as it would be inappropriate for you to stand outside a daycare playground with a megaphone shouting out your political views.

I've had many political discussions with my guests in the course of their stays (all have luckily been of my same political persuation), but it's not a conversation I'd start with guests, it's something that may arise out of another conversation and I always let the guest take the lead as far as opening such topics. They booked my place for accommodation, not to attend a political rally.

Sarah977
Level 10
Sayulita, Mexico

@Dan700   BTW, I've had several American guests in the past couple of years who told me that they are very politically involved and active, and aligned with the views you hold, but that they booked a week's beach vacation in Mexico to take a much-needed break from it, as it was exhausting and all-consuming and affecting their mental and physical health. So the last thing they really wanted to do was to be bombarded with the same stuff while on vacation. They were even avoiding reading or watching the news.

Brittani7
Level 4
Florida, US

Don't feed the trolls 

Suzanne302
Level 10
Wilmington, NC

@Dan700 

 

Indicate in your listing that you're inclusive of all? Absolutely! Militantly state it and go on a full on diatribe, probably a huge turn off!

 

My personal opinion is that political views do not need to be paraded around as an ABB host, but it's unfortunate that sometimes we do need to indicate that we are accepting of all people. 

 

I'll be honest I'm excited about an upcoming stay at a homeshare where the host indicates in her listing that she flys the rainbow flag so if anyone is uncomfortable with that, they shouldn't book. I'm a straight female, but an LGBTQ ally. If I were in a minority group, it would be comforting to find a listing that I know I won't be judged at, because, unfortunately, that is the world we live in right now and I have to remember that the way I'm treated well by some people simply because I'm a "white, straight, female" is vastly different from the experiences of others.

 

 

Inna22
Level 10
Chicago, IL

Actually, @Dan700  is not inclusive of all people at all, not by any stretch of imagination. He is only inclusive of people that share all of his beliefs, and it seems regardless of character, because only people that share those believes can be good people apparently. I have pro-life friends who are wonderful humans OVERALL. And I am sure there is a good number of anti Trumpers in jail for major crimes. And you are comparing Trump to Stalin? Wow. Yes, please do put this all in the listing so people stay away. Even if I shared most of your views, I would not rent from you for the fear that if there was one not listed but discovered in the conversation you will ruin my vacation. This type of talk is divisive. People have views and options and unless you are open to conversation you will not make the world a better place. @Helen3 

The language you suggested is beautiful and very well written xcept it does not reflect the OPs believes. Because it does matter to him where you come from  and half of this country would not get a warm welcome in his home