Hello,
I just published an online housing ad on your website. As a gay man I was offended by the ‘gay friendly option’ in the details section.
Since it is illegal to discriminate against an individual based on sexual orientation for housing why do you present ‘gay friendly’ as an option? By doing so aren’t you suggesting that not being ‘gay friendly’ is an option?
As well, if for whatever justification you think this is a necessary option to provide to your potentially ‘non gay friendly’ readers/advertisers, it is offensive to be grouped in with dog friendly and dummer friendly, etc. It’s really not the same thing at all and gay people don’t deserve to be grouped in with animals.
Thank you.
Barry Roode
By Barry Roode
This article appears in Feb 8-14, 2007.