We received this from a Gay Marriage Watch reader yesterday – just a sad indication that we still have a long way to go for full equality:

We are a gay couple currently living in China. We registered in Canada last spring and started to look for a place to share our joy with family and closest friends. During our honeymoon to Bali, we found Conrad’s venue to be ideal for the event.

As a result, we contacted the hotel and paid our first deposit last October to have a ceremony this May. We were sensitive about the conservative culture at Indonesia, and did inquire about whether they have conducted same-sex ceremony in the past at the outset and was given an affirmative answer by the wedding coordinator over the phone.

As we started to finalize the details of the event, getting ready to pay the second deposit, we were informed by an employee that the hotel cannot hold the event. Needless to say, we are surprised and displeased by the sudden turn of events at this very last minute, especially after we have incurred a number of expenses in preparation of the event.

In fact, the hotel has changed back and forth on its position for the past few days, causing further confusion and frustration. First call last week by the coordinator and her supervisor was a “no”, followed by “yes” during a call a few days later from the head of sales and marketing or director of business development, then an eventual “no” by the same director today, admitting (over phone) that although there is no prohibiting laws or policy but due to local community reactions the hotel will not hold the event.

The refusal to service us or honor the agreement was firm. The hotel also refused to compensate us for any loss other than those directly paid to the hotel.

We are very disappointed and also fearful that through this process our identities have been disclosed to the local community (or even the Indonesian government). At the very least, we wish to share our experience and warn other GLTA couples.