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Marriott to discuss in-room porn movies


WASHINGTON (BP)–Officials of Marriott International have agreed to meet with pro-family leaders who have asked the hotel chain to stop offering pornographic movies in its rooms.

The meeting is scheduled for May 14 in Washington, a spokeswoman for the American Family Association (AFA) confirmed April 22.

AFA sent a letter signed by 47 national and state pro-family leaders to Marriott CEO John W. Marriott III on April 3. In it, they described Marriott as “one of the leading lodging chains offering in-room pornographic movies” and requested the opportunity for a few of the signers to meet with Marriott representatives.

Southern Baptist ethics leader Richard Land, who signed the letter, welcomed Marriott’s decision to participate in such a meeting.

“I’m delighted that Marriott is meeting with those who are concerned about protecting its customers from the pornographic environment created by access to these movies,” said Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “Christians should always remember that we have a stewardship obligation concerning all areas of our lives, including discretionary income, which would include where we stay on business or pleasure in terms of hotels.”

In their letter, the pro-family leaders said their request for a meeting complies with Marriott’s commitment to human rights, as well as its statements of support for “the well-being of children and families” and of opposition to “such tragedies as human trafficking and the exploitation of children.”

In addition to Land, other signers included Focus on the Family chairman James Dobson, AFA founder Don Wildmon, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, Liberty Counsel chairman Mat Staver, High Impact Leadership Coalition chairman Harry Jackson and Free Congress Foundation chairman Paul Weyrich.

Marriott hotels have individual owners who make decisions on in-room television programming, a spokesman for the hotel chain told Cybercast News Service. Making a widespread policy change would be a complicated and long process, he said, according to CNS.

In addition to Marriott Hotels, other brands operated by the lodging giant include Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownPlace Suites. Marriott International has about 3,000 properties in the United States.
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