Straight or gay? U.S. court says Web site can't ask (Roommates.com)

Reuters ^ | April 3, 2008 | Adam Tanner

[RDTF]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A roommate-finding site cannot require users to disclose their sexual orientation, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Thursday, in the latest skirmish over whether anti-discrimination rules apply to the Web.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Roommates.com, which obliges users to list their sexual orientation, was different than Internet sites where people can volunteer or withhold personal information.

To inquire electronically about sexual orientation would not be different from asking people in person or by telephone if they were black or Jewish before conducting business, the panel said in an 8-3 ruling that partly overturns a lower federal court decision.

"If such screening is prohibited when practiced in person or by telephone, we see no reason why Congress would have wanted to make it lawful to profit from it online," 9th Circuit chief judge Alex Kozinski wrote. "Not only does Roommate ask these questions, Roommate makes answering the discriminatory questions a condition of doing business."

Roommates.com says it offers more than 100,000 rental listings on its site across the United States and is owned by Roommate.com LLC.

The court contrasted such requests for information with online search engines such as Google, which could allow people to search for terms such as "white roommate."

-snip-

[PetroniusMaximus]

Simple solution....

Just ask the potential room mate how they like their fudge.

[Revolting cat!]

The Ninth Circus is in town!

[ElkGroveDan]

But I thought gays and lesbians were separate genders? And the court hasn’t ruled out asking the person’s gender.

[Revolting cat!]

Can you say something like “I hate fruitcake”, or “I hate Judy Garland” ?

[ElkGroveDan]

You could advertise as a devout Christian who subscribes to the teachings of the Bible especially Leviticus.

[shineon]

[DouglasKC]

"If such screening is prohibited when practiced in person or by telephone, we see no reason why Congress would have wanted to make it lawful to profit from it online," 9th Circuit chief judge Alex Kozinski wrote. "Not only does Roommate ask these questions, Roommate makes answering the discriminatory questions a condition of doing business." Roommates.com says it offers more than 100,000 rental listings on its site across the United States and is owned by Roommate.com LLC.

I don't get it. Suppose someone wants a gay roommate? Didn't they just make it harder to be non-discriminatory?

[lowbridge]

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said Roommates.com, which obliges users to list their sexual orientation, was different than Internet sites where people can volunteer or withhold personal information. To inquire electronically about sexual orientation would not be different from asking people in person or by telephone if they were black or Jewish before conducting business, the panel said in an 8-3 ruling that partly overturns a lower federal court decision.

Roomates.com is not a property owner renting out rooms or apartments, they're just an internet service that helps people find (somewhat compatible) roommates.

If an individual doesnt want to be roomies with a homosexual, or black, or jewish person, etc, then thats their business.

This is a stupid decision that needs to be overturned.

[DBrow]

Dating services will be next.

[Secret Agent Man]

I was going to say ask them if given a choice, they could have a beer, or a Shirley Temple.

That, or going to Gander Mountain versus Abercrombie and Fitch.

[Secret Agent Man]

Sorry, no elephants (or turbans). /sarc

[Awestruck]

If this is the 9th Circus..then it probably will be overturned since most of their rulings are overturned...catch a clue judges!

[lowbridge]

So, how would the 9th circus rule on this website:

Lesbian And Gay Roommate Finder And Referral Service. New York, NYC

[B.Bolt]

“If such screening is prohibited when practiced in person or by telephone, we see no reason why Congress would have wanted to make it lawful to profit from it online,” 9th Circuit chief judge Alex Kozinski wrote. “Not only does Roommate ask these questions, Roommate makes answering the discriminatory questions a condition of doing business.”

So if you cant shove the prettyboy agenda down the rest of our throat’s you will find another way to do it . Thank you , but I’ll run my business the way I see fit .

[Regulator]

Anti-discrimination in civil rights is about things you're born with and can do nothing about. Like being black or female.

Being queer is at best a lifestyle choice and at worst a pathology.

But it isn't genetic, no matter what they say.

This absurd decision treats homosexuality as if it were, in furtherance of the deviant/molester agenda.

The judge is a stooge for NAMBLA.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

“Former Boyscout Seeks Roommate”.

[Steve Van Doorn]

"Dating services will be next."

a few years ago i would think you were joking.

[purpleraine]

How do you have freedom of association if you don’t know whom you’re associating with in such personal matters as residence?

[RichInOC]

If it’s a guy...I remember seeing a clip of a gay comedian saying, “Say ‘Ding! Ding! Ding!’ and if he answers ‘...went the trolley...’ you’ve found one.”