eHarmony redux

Cal. Civ. Code Sec. 51b (Unruh Civil Rights Act) reads:

All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, or sexual orientation are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.

This is one broad statute.

It appears internet businesses are also covered.

eHarmony is also a California corporation, so there is jurisdiction over them.

Yikes, eHarmony might actually lose. (Not "WILL"... but "might" - I don't want to get into legal analysis right now and get into Dale v. Boy Scouts and yadda yadda, so let's just leave it at that.) If so, it wouldn't be a huge victory for gays and lesbians; instead, it would be a huge victory for lawyers. (And what self-respecting gay or lez would willingly pay money to utilize a service created by a fundie, and a service that is ripping off our straight brothers and sisters everywhere with its ridiculous patented matching formula? Kids, just because it's patented doesn't mean it will bring about results!) Yes, I'm all about equal access, but this lawsuit is nothing more than a fight for the chance to be defrauded by a rich old snake-oil salesman fundie. If you want a chance to flush $35 a month down the toilet, just walk into the nearest bathroom, take $35 out of your wallet and throw it into the bowl. Then do it again next month. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

A better solution would have been telling your straight friends to boycott the service. Make the fuckers LOSE money.

However, the buzz on JdUnderground seems to indicate that California has an oversupply of underutilized / unemployed and student loan-strapped attorneys. California also has an abundance of e-businesses incorporated in the state. (And with the far-reaching nature of the Internet, this statute would cover out-of-state internet corporations doing business with California's customers - anyone who runs an interactive website who actively does business with and derives revenue from California residents could be subject to suit!)

If e-businesses in any jurisdiction that targets Californians could be sued under California's civil rights statute, imagine all the lawsuits that could fly right and left!

Hurrah! Never fear! Employment is on the way!

Update: Arizona internet business told to stop accepting business from Californians.