eHarmony Sued for Discriminating Against Gays
eHarmony, the dating site with strong ties to right-wing religious organization Focus on the Family, has been sued by a woman in Los Angeles for discriminating against gays and lesbians.
According to Reuters: "Lawyers bringing the action said they believed it was the first lawsuit of its kind against eHarmony, which has long rankled the gay community with its failure to offer a 'men seeking men' or 'women seeking women' option. They were seeking to make it a class action lawsuit on behalf of gays and lesbians excluded from the dating service."
The company called the claims "false and reckless" in a statement to the press:
"The research that eHarmony has developed, through years of research, to match couples has been based on traits and personality patterns of successful heterosexual marriages. Nothing precludes us from providing same-sex matching in the future. It's just not a service we offer now based upon the research we have conducted."
The lawsuit seeks damages for those discriminated against, as well as a change in the company's policy.
The ad below, produced by rival dating company chemistry.com, took advantage of eHarmony's policy by promoting themselves as an inclusive alternative.
Posted Jun. 1,2007 at 10:55 AM EST by Andy Towle in Discrimination, News, Religion | Permalink
Yeah, Cory, comparing clothing to gay peoples is apples to oranges..because gay people vs straight people is even more specialized than clothing. Your race argument doesnt apply because just because people are of a different race, doesnt mean that they are looking for different things in their mates, and therefore, they can use the exact same template for any race of men seeking women, and women seeking men. To include gay people would mean that they would have to create an entirely new template. No matter what you say, gay personal ads and straight personal ads are not the same. Again, do straight men mark top or bottom on their profile? Or masculine, in between, or feminine? Relationships between gay men are different from relationships between striaght couples. Its just a fact. Its their right to say that they dont want to create an entirely new template.
Posted by: Chris | Jun 1, 2007 11:07:48 PM
Chris:
Relationships between everyone are objective and different, whether gay or straight. Everyone is looking for the same thing: love, a connection, a companion, not just sex. Using the excuse that gay men are a different "template" (again, using words such as "template" suggests a less humanistic quality in gay men, where as emotional/human characteristics would be more fitting).
Explain what the differences are between gay and heterosexual relationships. If in your mind it comes down to sex, as in top/bottom/etc., that doesn't add up as heterosexual couples have their own sexual preferences and most gay men can go both ways depending on the connection.
When you differentiate homosexual relationships from heterosexual relationships you are suggesting that homosexuals are not looking for love and companionship, and are somehow seeking something else. What is that "else"?
Posted by: Cory | Jun 1, 2007 11:19:38 PM
They have the right to do what they want, whether we like it or not. Go somewhere else.
Posted by: toddo-pdx | Jun 1, 2007 11:26:36 PM
Sure, they have the right to do what they want, just as we have the right to sue.
Cory got a point bud, there is more to gay relationships than just sex, me thinks you've been on manhunt a wee-bit too much. Plus straight couples have different sexual tastes as well - some women like to be on top, some like S & M, but that shit isn't part of the initial dating process on match sites but comes later. Gay men aren't just about S E X.
Posted by: NightOwl | Jun 1, 2007 11:40:01 PM
Either Towleroad has some self-loathing homo's on here or there are some straight's trolling around, either way I'm shocked at the comments. Just because it's a private company does not give them the right to discriminate, and the apathy displayed above is disgusting. When does it end? If our community condones this then we are sending the message to other businesses that this discrimination is ok. It's pathetic. Would Rosa Parks has simply said "sure, I'll sit at the back of the bus, why not"? It's weak. I applaud the individual for suing, and I'm sure she's not suing for money but to take a stand that this will not be tolerated.
What happened to us? When did we become so pathetic and weak? If we let one little thing go, then we might as well let everything else go with it.
Posted by: Wow | Jun 1, 2007 11:50:01 PM
Cory, again, the site does not block gay men and women from using their service, it just will not produce results that gay men and women want. A clothing store would find little cause to exclude blacks since blacks and whites can wear the same clothes, but a clothing store that catered to black-African dress styles could not be charged with racial discrimination simply due to its inventory. A store that sold only women's clothes does not discriminate against men because men can buy women's clothes (for themselves or for others), but it is unlikely that most men will shop for their own clothes at a women's store. What are you are confusing is being barred at the door, which no one is doing, with not finding what you want inside. If a store does not have African-dress styles does it 'degrade' or 'demean' such styles? Obviously not. Similarly, a website for str8 dating does not demean gay relationships.
Now, for Rosa Parks, could she sue if the bus did not take her past her home? No, she took the wrong bus. Got it?
Can the gay community give eHarmony bad PR over this? Yeah, sure, go ahead.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Jun 2, 2007 1:17:17 AM
Okay, guys, HERE'S the kicker...
What IF eharmony offered a gay selection and was- you'll excuse the term- FABULOUS at matching you with just the right man? Would you still use them? KNOWING that your dollars were going to James "gay people are evil" Dobson and "Focus on the Family"[sic]?
If this is the case, I hope the Westboro people never throw a Sunday BBQ and invite all the "fags". I'm afraid too many would line up...
Posted by: Dean | Jun 2, 2007 2:49:31 AM
You people just really don't get it. ANON (GMAIL.COM), DEAN, CHRIS, you are all so ignorant it's sad. Keep on believing what ever it is that makes you get through your little lives. Maybe that bus will take you straight to were you need to go, further away from sanity.
Posted by: JeffC | Jun 2, 2007 8:45:25 AM
You know what eHarmony and its charitable beneficiaries have in common with the groups who want to sue eHarmony? They both have a bad case of, "You must behave the way I want you to behave!!!"
Posted by: Rob | Jun 2, 2007 11:36:57 AM
IS THERE ANY WAY WE COULD LIMIT CORY'S INDIVIDUAL POSTS TO 10,000 WORDS OR LESS?
Jeez. I am beginning to wonder if "Cory" is just a pseudonym for Bill Clinton. They both just go on...and on...and on...
Posted by: Tony the Tiger | Jun 2, 2007 4:28:32 PM
I agree with Tony the Tiger all the way!!!
Cory's posts are too long and boring. I know noone ever reads Cory's posts but they take a long time to scroll through because they are so loooooong and it hurts my fingers.
Posted by: Action Jackson | Jun 2, 2007 4:32:05 PM
Awww, thanks guys, it's nice to know I'm appreciated. My heart just melted from all the kindness, maturity and gratification. Thanks :')...
PS If a few sentences are too long for you to wrap your tiny heads around, I'd try some beginners reading courses, and some ritilin, might help with those focus issues... oh and if your hand hurts from that much scrolling, I'd lay off the porn. Just some pointers... assuming you got this far... Now GTFO...
Posted by: Cory | Jun 2, 2007 4:55:12 PM
Oh and TONY TONY TONY (tony.may@rcn.com), TONY THE TIGER (Charles.Jackson@aol.com) and ACTION JACKSON (tony.may@rcn.com) if you're going to post under different names pretending to be someone else, at least use different email addresses (TONY TONY TONY and Action Jackson both posted with the same email) and TONY THE TIGER with Charles.Jackson). Really lame, and more over why did you single me out of all the posts? Did my comments upset you enough to post in multiple names trying to shut me down? GROW UP. If you don't like it, don't comment on it, or at least do so with some maturity.
Andy, if you're reading this, I'd suggest blocking the IP of whomever this user is, it's annoying and takes away from everyone who enjoys this blog...
Again, great seeing you at your b-day party, hope you're beating the heat...
Posted by: Cory | Jun 2, 2007 5:01:43 PM
Well at least Cory kept his latest post under 10,000 words. Though he could have made the same point in two sentences or less. We are making some improvement. (Now if there was just some way we could get him off this site altogether. I'll have to ask Andy T. the next time I run into him on Fire Island.)
You can all thank me later.
Posted by: Tony May | Jun 2, 2007 5:34:12 PM
Tony, you got owned boy rofl! Stop using different names to post and ride Cory's jock as no one cares what you think and all you're doing is pissing people off. Get out of your parents basement and get a life boy.
Posted by: Jay D | Jun 2, 2007 8:20:27 PM
JeffC, I take it you don't agree with something I've said? I wish I could say I care... But I don't.
Posted by: Dean | Jun 2, 2007 9:30:39 PM
Tony tony tony/tony may/action jackson/tony the tiger - seems like you're a little bitter. Did Cory reject your sorry ass? Do us all a favor and get over it, move and and grow up. Please.
Posted by: Ani | Jun 2, 2007 10:33:10 PM
eharmony was off my list once I found out they were faith based. Considering 70% of all marriages end in divorce, I can't help but wonder if it is a desperate attempt to save a dying institution. Maybe they should include us. Our straight brethren always seem to want stuff that we breathe new life into after they gutted it beyond recognition. Oh wouldn't that be an irony?
Eharmony will win because they are not refusing gays/lesbians, they just don't offer same sex matches, may seem like quibbling words but, under the law it is the difference between winning/losing.
As for the lesbian comment above about how it would be different if it was a man suing...really nice way to rally the troops to your side. The "I'm a helpless victim" line is so 80's.
And Cory, you did come off as whiny. Maybe not the intent but you seem rather bitter that no one else agrees w/you. Maybe you should sue!
Posted by: moby | Jun 3, 2007 12:58:14 AM
Nice posts, but a lot of the amateur law regarding who has what rights is laughable. Denying any one a service in an industry that offers that same service to others is discimination, no matter how you slice and dice it.
Moby: how was Cory whiny? If anything, most people on here are just being a bunch of bitches who need to chill out and not get so damn offensive (or maybe you're just bitter your last album bombed lol). Chip, shoulder, big. Get it? Good.
Posted by: Jas | Jun 3, 2007 7:04:19 AM
Oh, and Moby, tell that "I'm a helpless victim line is so 80's" to Andrew Anthos, or Matthew Shephard, or [insert dead hate crime victim name here]. I agree with Cory, so don't speak for me, and while you're at it, grow a heart and a brain.
Posted by: Jas | Jun 3, 2007 7:06:49 AM
LOL! A good lawsuit is a good lawsuit. The question is whether or not the woman, who is starting the lawsuit, will actually win? If that is the case, can I get a few bucks out of the deal too?
Posted by: TIAGuy | Jun 3, 2007 2:16:39 PM
Nice of you to drag Matthew into this. However, there is a big difference between killing someone and not agreeing w/them.
Not everyone has to agree with us or provide us service. We need to pick and choose our battles instead of "whining" over every little injustice.
Oh, and thanks for the comment you left. Classic! Next time, at least switch IP's.
Posted by: moby | Jun 3, 2007 3:35:40 PM
If we ignore the small battles then we lose the fight.
What comment? And what IP address? I'm behind a secure server that blocks my IP from being singled out, so trying to pin something on me that I didn't write won't float, but nice try. If you aren't a popular guy, might need to rethink how you talk to and treat others. PEACE
Posted by: JAS | Jun 3, 2007 6:31:23 PM
you can't add race cause it works by the basis that your attracted to certain qualities not person's race. You could be a black woman primarily attreacted to whites, or hispanics, or asians, or vice versa.
Its obvious why hes not doing it hallmark does not sell gay oriented cards what gay people don't have messages or feelings. People always threathen to boycott something don't go their. I like sherbert and whitechocolate ice cream i can't go to a mom and pop store i deal with it
Posted by: sasha | Jun 4, 2007 3:05:29 PM