Lambda Legal
filed a discrimination complaint Tuesday with the New
York State attorney general on behalf of a gay couple who
were barred from posting their profile at an online
adoption service.
Rosario Gennaro
and Alexander Gardner of New York City claim the
Arizona-based Adoption Profiles LLC and Adoption Media LLC
violate New York State antidiscrimination laws.
The companies' website, ParentProfiles.com,
allows only opposite-sex couples to register.
It is not the
first time a gay couple has lodged a complaint against the
service. Last year it settled out of court a lawsuit brought
by a San Jose, Calif., couple, Michael and Rich
Butler, who alleged the companies violated California
antidiscrimination law.
The companies
argued that because they are based in Arizona and do
business on the Internet, they did not have to comply with
California law. A federal court judge in San Francisco
rejected the argument and ruled that the lawsuit could
proceed.
The companies
have since ceased doing business in California, said Lambda
Legal staff attorney Flor Bermudez, who added, "They
can't come into New York and effectively hang a
sign on the door saying 'Gay couples need not apply.'
"
The Associated
Press reported that the companies had not yet responded to
requests for comment. (The Advocate)
