Sandals resorts ends ban on gay couples

Gays and lesbians and their significant others will now be allowed to vacation at the Royal Bahamian and other couples-only retreats, now that a 20-year ban on same-sex couples at Sandals resorts has been lifted, USA Today reports. The decision was implemented in August, said Sandals spokesman Mike Hicks, adding that the reversal was not prompted by London mayor Ken Livingstone's recent successful campaign to keep the adults-only resort chain's ads out of the city's subway system because of discriminatory policies. A Sandals statement reads: "The change has been under consideration for a long while, as attitudes have evolved and the company has expanded its brand."