I am not sure that they can. They are a platform that allows members to rent their properties. Now they think they can refuse to rent to people for reasons they only guess may be true.
IOW, airbnb doesn’t own the properties they are withdrawing. We’re I an owner who thought my property had been rented, I’d be highly p-oed.
“Airbnb said its rules require that “members of the Airbnb community accept people regardless of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age”. “
They are dancing on a thin line, but it is their line to draw and dance upon.
Airbnb the company does own the venue the listings appear it. That is their “property” and as a private company they make the rules of its operation. As would I. I may not agree with their motive, but I grant that the action should not be considered or found illegal.