Airbnb Investigating Host Who Allegedly Denied Gay Couple From … – Travel Noire

Airbnb has been under heavy scrutiny over the last several years – especially from users who identify as members of marginalized communities who say the platform hasn’t done enough to address discrimination among hosts.

In 2020, Airbnb leaders launched the Project Lighthouse Initiative to uncover how people of color experience the platform in hopes of making the platform more inclusive.

“Airbnb is built on trust, and we will continue to innovate and design new products and initiatives that increase acceptance and combat bias,” said Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “Important insights, including data generated through Project Lighthouse, will drive our work to make Airbnb a place where everyone feels welcome.”

But even with the company’s attempts to move forward, some users replied to Kimberlin about how they don’t feel welcomed on the platform.

I once got a listing removed from Airbnb because they said they wouldn’t allow same sex couples in the description.. insane that they could even post that in the first place but glad Airbnb did the right thing by removing it.

— Maddie Dunne (@MadeleineDunne) January 8, 2023