July 09, 2007
Test case for "gay civil rights" bill?

Personally, I don't think that this sort of thing should be illegal.

But isn't it a blatant example of housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation that last year's "gay civil rights" bill was designed to prevent?

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at July 09, 2007 04:14 PM | Email This
Comments
1. Yes, it is. Don't hold your breath waiting for a test case, though. There aren't a lot of people out there willing to be obnoxious in order to push a "straight agenda".

Posted by: sro on July 9, 2007 04:38 PM
2. I don't know, Stefan... Maybe you should apply to live there and see what happens...

Posted by: Mickymse on July 9, 2007 05:15 PM
3. "Isn't it a blatant example...."

Why yes!.....yes it is.
(But do THEY realize that?)

Posted by: Michele on July 9, 2007 05:35 PM
4. I propose a cohousing project for heterosexual couples who have remained married to one partner for life.

Ding - Dong

That was the ACLU at the door already.

Posted by: JCM on July 9, 2007 06:35 PM
5. Well, what goes on between consenting adults is none of my business. Too bad they didn't keep it that way. By saying they cater to one group or another, they are discriminating against another, especially in housing.

The gays win. Everyone else is intimidated to the point of being afraid to speak up.

At least this isn't the typical marketing to children of their "lifestyle".

Posted by: Independent Voter on July 9, 2007 06:59 PM
6. Just wondering and echoing JCM, would this same tolerance be applied to traditional heterosexual couples who are married? Incidently, I don't object to this housing arrangement, it seems to be voluntary. What is good for the goose should be good for the gander. So, if a communtity wants to limit itself to those with children who are married and not cohabiting-that should be OK, right? Think I too, hear the ACLU.

Posted by: WVH on July 9, 2007 07:34 PM
7. The left wing just does not get it. Discrimination is wrong!

Posted by: Red on July 9, 2007 07:50 PM
8. Hmm, would be interesting to seewhat would happen if a Muslim man applied to live there. The game of "who's a bigger victim" would be fun to watch!

Posted by: Just a guy on July 9, 2007 08:26 PM
9. The interesting legal issue would be to use this type of community to demonstrate a lack of "equal protection" during an appeal of the ruling against your heterosexual married housing.

Posted by: Calvin A on July 9, 2007 10:05 PM
10. This idea is a lawyer's dream. Private organizations like the Boy Scouts or a country club can decide on membership criteria, and not allow membership to those that don't meet that criteria.

As I understand the law, a landlord cannot discriminate.

So what is this endeavour? A private club, or an apartment complex subject to anti-discrimination laws?

Posted by: Obi-Wan on July 9, 2007 10:07 PM
11. The new law prevents discrimination based on "sexual orientation" - gay or straight. There's nothing wrong with that. I agree somewhat with Stefan on this one. Let's wait for the people who file a complaint and can demonstrate that they are denied housing because of their sexual orientation. We're not likely to see one.

There has got to be a reasonableness test that applies to all of this. You can poke fun at some of the new law's potential side effects, but it is clear to most people that this really modest change in civil rights law, is pretty reasonable and does more good than harm.

Posted by: thor on July 9, 2007 10:23 PM
12. The new law prevents discrimination based on "sexual orientation" - gay or straight. There's nothing wrong with that. I agree somewhat with Stefan on this one. Let's wait for the people who file a complaint and can demonstrate that they are denied housing because of their sexual orientation. We're not likely to see one.

There has got to be a reasonableness test that applies to all of this. You can poke fun at some of the new law's potential side effects, but it is clear to most people that this really modest change in civil rights law, is pretty reasonable and does more good than harm.

Posted by: thor on July 9, 2007 10:24 PM
13. Gayness: I was at the "respect" gay pride parade and thought it was a good message. Gay Marriage: I think it is poorly incarnated souls stretching across boundary line trying to imitate what they wish they could do. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? I do think that heterosexual relationships have a certain divine zing that can't be gotten via a homosexual one. There is stuff missing.

I reject all the rationalized gay - straight marriage comparisions as just being stilted and self serving. Some of the worst bigots on the plant are gay people who refuse to recognize polygamy as an egually or even more so desirale social more. Polygamy has a much stronger history than gay marriage.

Also, morally then prostitution should also be legal. It would be strange living in a city where I could could legally have anal sex with a man , but not pay a woman for sex? something is Bass Ackwards there.

you can have your gay marriage, but then I also want polygamy and prostitution legalized. They are all connected to my puritan background. Throw one out, throw them all out. Gay marriage would be my last choice to legalize.

And my last useless point. Genetics are just suggestion and habit over birth cycles. Only like 3 percent of people are genetically gay. The rest are there from suggestion and from power/sex relationships. A dominatrix or a hypnotist can prove that point.

Posted by: JD on July 9, 2007 10:35 PM
14. I don't know the details of the gay civil rights bill (the link in the post here is apparently broken), but most housing ordinances contain exceptions that allow discrimination based on sexual orientation when the landlord is sharing living space with the tenants.

Lesbians should definitely be able to choose to live among their own kind. The left in general, and the gay community in specific, has not thought this issue through. They love anti-discrimination legislation and lack the foresight to see how it will be used against them. Fools.

Posted by: Gay Guy on July 9, 2007 11:50 PM
15. Sorry to change the subject but SP readers may enjoy my article on Sunny Jim, Angelina Jolie and Impeachment at SeattleJew

Posted by: SeattleJew on July 10, 2007 12:52 AM
16.
Who cares...I'm all for it. At this point, Seattle is at the bottom of the list of Best Places for Heterosexuals anyway. The number of high quality female singles in this area is zilch.

Posted by: John Bailo on July 10, 2007 04:26 AM
17. I believe in private property. If a landowner wants to rent only to purple spotted people eaters fine. It's his flippin' property.

However the current laws and climate of PC have eliminated that right for property owners.

If you can't discriminate.

YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE.

The left come up with the friggin' rule, they better damn well be ready to live with their own rules.

Posted by: JCM on July 10, 2007 07:41 AM
18. Why couldn't the developers of the community just make activities that appeal to lesbians, and then lesbian couples would just naturally want to live there instead of mandated restrictions? It's kind of like gay bars. Anyone can go to them, but mostly gays choose to.

Posted by: Palouse on July 10, 2007 08:01 AM
19. I think I am going to open a housing development for white people only. Think that would get a puff-piece in the PI?

Posted by: eric on July 10, 2007 08:02 AM
20. Hey if you want to hang out in a community of older lesbians be my guest. There is a demand and the free market is filling it. Simple supply & demand. You're not against the basic principals of capitalistic economics are you?

Posted by: Cato on July 10, 2007 09:26 AM
21. Cato,

No! And that's the point. The RULES are YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE.

So if I have an apartment build and I say no un-married couples and no same sex couples, the media, ACLU, code enforcement etc.. would be all over me. My property, my choice, let the market punish me or reward me.

Why is a Lesbian Only Co-housing arrangement suddenly discrimination is just peachy-keen.

Let's just apply the rules to everyone. No exceptions!
OR
Scrap the rules and let the market work.

Posted by: JCM on July 10, 2007 10:33 AM
22. Who says they are discriminating?

Are you going to sue retirement communities or nursing homes for age discrimination because you can't live there unless your 65+? What about Apt. complexes that ban people with kids? Legal discrimination goes on all the time (ask smokers in this state).

I fail to see the issue here. People can plan communities however they want. Free market will dictate if they are successful or not.

Posted by: Cato on July 10, 2007 11:52 AM
23. Gee, Cato... let's change the word "lesbian" into a blank, and then we can fill it in, OK?

Hey if you want to hang out in a community of white people, be my guest. There is a demand and the free market is filling it.

Hey if you want to sell heroin, be my guest. There is a demand and the free market is filling it.

Hey if you want to engage in child sexual slavery, be my guest. There is a demand and the free market is filling it.

See, Cato, there are certain things that aren't justified by "capitalistic economics," and housing discrimination is just one of them.

Now, if you and your homosexual partner want housing, I don't know that your sexuality should be at issue.

But being straight should never be an impediment to any right; much like your choice to be homosexual should not grant you any exclusive right.

But then, you're at least KINDA bright, ain't you? So, in reality, I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know.

Clearly, you on the left are all ABOUT discrimination... just as long as it's the right kind.

And that's one of the more hypocritical aspects of your particular fringe, but you feel free to enjoy it, little cowboy.

Posted by: Hinton on July 10, 2007 12:47 PM
24. So Cato, you would be perfectly fine if they planned a "heterosexual only" community then, right?

Posted by: Palouse on July 10, 2007 01:09 PM
25. See Hinton, most of those things that you specify are illegal already. Being Gay is not illegal (much to the chagrin of some on this board).

But being straight should never be an impediment to any right

No one said it was.

much like your choice to be homosexual should not grant you any exclusive right.

Is being old an exclusive right? Maybe you should start suing for age discrimination in nursing homes.

Clearly, you on the left are all ABOUT discrimination... just as long as it's the right kind.

I'm not on the left. I just don't see any problems with retired lesbians setting up a retirement home. Heck, lets open up the VFW and Walter Reed to everyone. They discriminate against people based on choice.

"capitalistic economics," and housing discrimination is just one of them.

So by your definition Section 8 housing is economic discrimination.

you would be perfectly fine if they planned a "heterosexual only" community then, right?

They have that already, it's called US Military housing.

Posted by: Cato on July 10, 2007 01:29 PM
26. They have that already, it's called US Military housing.

Way to avoid the question. Let's say a private developer wanted their community to be hetero's only. You're fine with that, right?

Posted by: Palouse on July 10, 2007 01:34 PM
27. Way to avoid the question.

How's it dodging the question? It's true, right?

Let's say a private developer wanted their community to be hetero's only.

Be hard to prove/sort out who is Hetro and who is not. Likely be sued for discrimination.

Besides it says 'will serve as a home for elderly women only'. Last I checked you can have same sex housing (see dorms/frat row). It's just run by lesbians, I doubt it says in the charter you need to be one to join.

One expects a place like this will appeal to a certain clientèle and free market forces will take care of the rest. Being a lesbian here seems like an added bonus and not a requirement.

Posted by: Cato on July 10, 2007 02:27 PM
28. Cato and other progressives,

1. There is a case where a community wanted to
limit itself to only married heterosexual
couples with children. An unmarried co-habiting
couple with children wants to move in. The
reason for the inititial restriction was the
community wanted people to espouse the value
that the best unit for raising children was
a married heterosexual couple. Should the
ACLU be successful in this suit?

2. Suppose the community of Ava Maria in Florida
wants to set up a community based upon
Christian principles and they would not allow
certain types of activities or businesses
within their borders. Should the ACLU be
successful in this suit?

I have to agreed with Gay Guy, a lot of secular progressive legislation is not that well thought out.

Posted by: WVH on July 11, 2007 07:12 AM
Post a comment
Name:


Email Address:


URL:


Comments:


Remember info?