November 19th, 2008
According to the Associated Press,“Online dating service eHarmony is adding another personality trait to its 29 dimensions of computability.” eHarmony has agreed to begin providing same-sex matches as part of a settlement with the New Jersey Civil Rights Division. eHarmony will have the option of creating a separate service for same-sex couples, and they will be able to post a disclaimer saying that its compatibility matching system was developed from research of heterosexual couples. Neither the company nor its founder admit to any liability
eHarmony refusal to offer same-sex matching led to the establishment of rival services like Chemistry.com, which skewered eHarmony’s stance in its commercials.
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Regan DuCasse
November 19th, 2008
Ha! Nothing like the free market to turn things around.
Well, follow your money, not your hearts eHarmony…you can be bought too!
L. Junius Brutus
November 19th, 2008
Amazing. Since it was founded by a Dobson-supporting evangelical, I thought he’d burn his business to the ground before he’d allow something like this.
Norm!
November 19th, 2008
‘because we have to’ isn’t really a great selling point for eHarmony and certainly doesn’t fix its anti-gay reputation.
I would have preferred eHarmony to enthusiastically embraced inclusiveness or defend its right to discriminate rather than reluctantly provide services to gays. It seems eHarmony is merely attempting to avoid negative publicity.
Samantha Davis
November 19th, 2008
Still not going to use it. I don’t consider companies that are forced to serve me as friendly to me and I don’t patronize unfriendly businesses.
werdna
November 19th, 2008
And I’m not going to use it because I’m married. Legally married!
I just like to remind myself of that every so often…
Jason D
November 19th, 2008
bad move. I really think this type of lawsuit only hurts us and provides cannon fodder for the “homosexual agenda will destroy space-time continuum” arguments.
Ed
November 19th, 2008
This is equality? It sounds like they have the option of having “White” and “Colored” websites so to speak.
Ephilei
November 20th, 2008
I guess bisexuals aren’t served. Unless they want to pay for both sites.
I question the morality of forcing an organization in court to serve lesbians and gays. It’s this the freedom of speech oppression anti-gays have warned of? I’d rather eHarmony stay heterosexist and lose money until they choose to change.
Alex H
November 20th, 2008
Screw E-Harmony! Don’t give them your queer money. Use it elsewhere like at businesses that support us without a lawsuit or other complaint.
Especially in this economy!
Dave
November 21st, 2008
Wonderful! A business has been bullied — with the aid of the Attorney General of New Jersey — into providing a service contrary to its original service. That’s a great leap forward for freedom, to be sure!
Will the New Jersey Civil Rights Division and Eric McKinley be pleased when others take up their example against gay companies? Today Michelle Malkin offered the following advice to straight folk:
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