eHarmony under attack in discrimination suit

News 2007-06-01 eHarmony under attack in discrimination suit eHarmony sued for antigay bias eHarmony, the popular online dating service, is being sued for

eHarmony, the popular online dating service, is being sued for refusing to offer its services to LGBT singles, Reuters reported on Thursday. A lawsuit claiming discrimination based on sexual orientation was submitted to the Los Angeles superior court on behalf of Linda Carlson, who says she was denied access to the site because she is lesbian.

This is the first lawsuit of its kind filed against eHarmony, which has been criticized for not offer a "men seeking men" or "women seeking women" option to its subscribers. Carlson and her lawyers are hoping to raise awareness of the situation.

eHarmony was founded in 2000 by Neil Clark Warren, an evangelical Christian with strong connections to the conservative religious group Focus on the Family. With more than 12 million registered users, it is one of the nation's largest online dating sites.

Carlson, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area, tried to use the site's services in February but was denied access when she attempted to list her sexual orientation. According to Reuters, the lawsuit states that she promptly wrote to eHarmony explaining that its policy was discriminatory under California law, but the company refused to change it.

"Such outright discrimination is hurtful and disappointing for a business open to the public in this day and age," Carlson told Reuters.

Carlson's lawyers expect a significant number of LGBT people to join the lawsuit, which aims to force eHarmony to change its policy and pay unspecified damages for those denied its services based on their sexual orientation. (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

More Online Only

Film Awards Shows Gone Gay

From Rob Lowe singing with Snow White to Madonna and Britney swapping spit, Adam Lambert's racy AMA performance reminded us of some of the great gay moments in awards-show history.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

Washington D C View From Washington: The DADT Shuffle

A gay White House employee offered his very first interviews to the LGBT press while Congress took one step forward and one step back on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal in 2010.

Art The Kids Are All Right
Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.