Dating Service 'Discriminates' Against Married Man

eHarmony won't let married guys troll for babes

from JoeUser Forums
From Reuters News:



SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A California man in the process of getting a divorce said on Monday he was suing a popular online dating service that barred him from joining until his marriage is officially over.

John Claassen, a 36-year-old lawyer, said he was ready to resume dating but maintains that Pasadena, California-based agency eHarmony is violating his civil rights by not letting him use its service before his divorce is official.

The Oakland, California-based lawyer said he is asking a state judge to end eHarmony's policy of only admitting unmarried people to its dating service. "There are a lot of people out there in my situation who would like to move on but under these policies can't," Claassen said.

The company, which advertises it is "dedicated to helping serious singles build lasting relationships," did not return calls for comment.

Claassen said his lawsuit is based on a state law requiring businesses to disregard a person's marital status in the provision of services.
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7,414 views 29 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
...get your bump on... get your bump on...
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Imagine that,  a company that is "keeping him from moving on"....while he's still married....shucks...

guess he'll have to troll at the local parks, churches, or wait a minute he's already tried those places right?

the ladies at church probably know his wife....

he sure is in a hurry...

Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Regardless of what this guy thinks, if you can't remarry, it's not time to date.

Legally, isn't something like eHarmony able to discriminate like this? A business doesn't have to service everyone, right? Maybe I'm wrong about that... I've seen several businesses with it posted that they reserve the right to refuse service for any reason.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hmmmm..... can we guess why this guy is getting a divorce? "If I can't get what I want, I'm gonna sue" seems like the kind of fella that would be hard to be married to. Okay, I don't know his actual situation, but honestly. Psuedo had it exactly right, "If you can't remarry, it's not time to date." Can we say "selfish?"

Personally, I would PAY for a service that would screen out the married folks because if I were dating, I wouldn't want to get involved with a married person.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
i'm totally supportive of this guy--and anyone else who does anything even the least bit likely to deprive eharmony of funds they might otherwise use to buy air time with which to inflict their pandering ol gasbag of a founder on me.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

Three Cheers for eHarmony!  When I was dating, one of the hardest things to convince the ladies of was that I was not a player or married.  My Boss at the time tried it to and got hooked up with a married cretin (she dumped him fast).  His situation may be different, but eHarmony does not know that.  And since eHarmony is a pay for service, they are only denying him giving them his money.

kb, I dont much like their commercials either.  That is what the Last button is for on the remote.

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Since when is it a violation of your civil rights to not be able to use a computer dating service when you're married? Is that in the bill of rights? I guess I missed that one. What an idiot. I guess he can find a new girlfriend the old-fashioned way or wait until his divorce is final. I agree that until you are divorced you are still married. Separated - whatever. Waiting on your divorce to be final - whatever. In either case, you are still married.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Would eHarmony be promoting his adultery? Because that's where it would lead...
I mean, hello? He's still married, in the eyes of the law, the state of California.

i'm totally supportive of this guy--and anyone else who does anything even the least bit likely to deprive eharmony of funds they might otherwise use to buy air time with which to inflict their pandering ol gasbag of a founder on me.

Though a good point, I think Dr. Warren wants to wait to take this guy's money until he's legally available. ::
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
wait until his divorce is final


Divorces sure can take a long time though.

But if he's really serious about dating again (if that's what he thinks he deserves) he ought to do the right thing and wait it out.

Cheers to eHarmony for condemning a potentially adulterous man.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I support Eharmony. But..along with that, I believe they also descriminate against homosexuals as well..saying they dont 'specialize' in that kind of service. hmmm descriminate might be a bad word....maybe 'chosing the people whom you want to do business with' is better
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I find it curiously coincidental that he's a lawyer.

I can understand both POV's.  I can see eHarmony's stance - they don't want people who are married using their dervice for fear of being sued by either someone who got involved with a married person (unknowingly, of course) or by the spouse of a married person who found someone else by using their service.

It's all about litigation, folks.  Aint that the American way?

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top

Oops..forgot the lawyer's POV:

I can also see why someone who is involved in extended divorce proceedings would want to meet new people.  Some divorces last years.....and then again, some people move on without getting divorced (thinking Rod Stewart and Rachem Hunter).

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
HAHAHAHAHAHA

I think this is hilarious.

A (legally)married man SUES for the right to date single women! How totally screwed up is that?

I saw the founder on Fox news some time back. He is a conservative Christian. That is why no homos or married people.

And its not like this is the only service out there. If the lawyer wants to date while married he should go to other sites, or ~gasp~ do something very unlawyer like and LIE. Picking on one that is owned by a Christian is BEGGING for arbitration.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Oh one more thing...

Is it just me or does the bride in the photo have a really skinny neck?

Looks like a straw with an egg on top.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
I find it ridiculous that people feel they have the right to any service they like under any conditions they choose. The only reasons you can't be discriminated against are for: race, gender or religion. Sexual preference is still up in the air, but they're not discriminating against homosexuals if they choose not to customize their product for them.

Are homosexual dating sites open to such litigation if they choose to just offer their service to homosexuals? Can I as an heterosexual male sue them for discriminating against me?

As to married people. I think it's equally dumb to go into a fit over this. The guy could just try local personals ads, or other dating sites. eHarmony is not causing him irreperable harm by denying him service. They're not blocking him from dating, they're just not helping him along.

I think the guy is just looking for a way to make some fast and easy cash, cause eharmony will almost definitely settle out of court to make this go away.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am with eHarmony! There are a great number of dating service choices out there, yet he chooses one that's for real serious single people. Which leads me to wonder might he be suing eHarmony to get publicity for his practice, and maybe to get a settlement out of court helping to defray his divorce settlement costs.

Too many lawyers are pathetically void of values and morals in my book, making him another liberal idiot hoping to harm anything the could be considered morally within reason.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Cheers to eHarmony for condemning a potentially adulterous man.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Divorces sure can take a long time though. But if he's really serious about dating again (if that's what he thinks he deserves) he ought to do the right thing and wait it out.

If he's that serious then I'm sure there are lots of sites that will take his money.

I think he's just trying to make a buck at the expense of Dr. Neil Clark Warren's morals.
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Is it just me or does the bride in the photo have a really skinny neck?
Looks like a straw with an egg on top.

Yeah, I see what you mean. She has an incredibly gawky-looking silhouette.
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
The guy is obviusly now seperated from his wife and intends to have the marriage finished in the eyes of the law, so in effect he is not an adulterer, having said this I really can't stand people who have to sue at the drop of a hat, so no sympathy here, what's wrong wih trying another agency. All a bit of a wank if you ask me. Will he represent himself, remember the old saying about a person who has themself as a lawyer, I have to agree ths guy is a fool whether he represent himself or not, most dating sites do not allow married people onto their sites, except those that advertise they are for married or single people who are intent on having extra marital affairs.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
so in effect he is not an adulterer

And yet, in effect, he is still married.

those that advertise they are for married or single people who are intent on having extra marital affairs.

They have those too? Oh wait, the internet has EVERYTHING.
Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds like yet another money hungry sleeze, errr I mean lawyer.
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I saw the subject of this article I laughed and had to read it. Are you for real? If this isn't some joke you're pulling, you need help. I mean like serious therapy. My ex-husband was dating before our divorce was final, but he came to me first and we discussed it. I told hime to go ahead. Better to be out in the open instead of sneaking around. We never cheated on eachother, even when we became separated. It wasn't until we decided to get divorced that we agreed it was okay if either one of wanted to date. I had a few dates, nothing that lead to anything. He dated twice. The second date is now his wife. There were about 8 months inbetween his 1st date and the 2nd which is his wife now. Before she came into his life he was starting to look inside to better himself. He spent more time with the kids' who are in his custody. Physical illness prevented them from living with me. Anyway, I continue to work on the things about myself, so when the time comes I will have a healthier relationship. Since she came into his life he stopped working on the inside and the children have been pushed to the side. Very sad when people can't learn to be conrent by themself. I believe relationships, like water seek its own level. As healthy of a person you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is as healthy of a person in those areas you will attract. As sick as you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is the same sick character you will attract. It may not seem this way at first, but stay long enough you will see I tell you the truth. Oh, and if you don't believe me, ask my ex-husband. I will always have love in my heart for him as a friend and as the father of our children. I could never see myself or want to be married again to him. Not to make myself seem better then he, but I have grown so much as a woman, emotionally, mentally and spiritually it wouldn't work. He refuses to continue therapy with his present wife, who tries to get him to go. So you see, they are not happy. Remember, water seels its own level and so do relationships.
Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I saw the subject of this article I laughed and had to read it. Are you for real? If this isn't some joke you're pulling, you need help. I mean like serious therapy. My ex-husband was dating before our divorce was final, but he came to me first and we discussed it. I told him to go ahead. Better to be out in the open instead of sneaking around. We never cheated on eachother, even when we became separated. It wasn't until we decided to get divorced that we agreed it was okay if either one of us wanted to date. I went on a few dates; nothing that lead to anything. He dated twice. The second date is now his wife. There were about 8 months inbetween his 1st date and the 2nd which is his wife now. Before she came into his life he was starting to look inside to better himself.He seemed happier and said he was feeling better about himself. He spent more time with the kids' who are in his custody. Physical illness prevented them from living with me. Since she came into his life he stopped working on the inside and the children have been pushed to the side. Very sad when people can't learn to be conrent by themself. I believe relationships, like water seek its own level. As healthy of a person you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is as healthy of a person in those areas you will attract. As sick as you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is the same sick character you will attract. It may not seem this way at first, but stay long enough you will see I tell you the truth. Oh, and if you don't believe me, ask my ex-husband. I will always have love in my heart for him as a friend and as the father of our children. I could never see myself or want to be married again to him. Not to make myself seem better then he, but I have grown so much as a woman, emotionally, mentally and spiritually it wouldn't work. He refuses to continue therapy with his present wife, who tries to get him to go. So you see, they are not happy. Anyway, I continue to work on bettering myself, so when the time comes I will attract and be attracted to a well-rounded healthier person. An intimate relationship, platonic, and a general friendship develops over time and takes hard work. Remember, water seeks its own level and so do people. ~~~FOLLOW YOUR PASSION~~~
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top
When I saw the subject of this article I laughed and had to read it. Are you for real? If this isn't some joke you're pulling, you need help. I mean like serious therapy. My ex-husband was dating before our divorce was final, but he came to me first and we discussed it. I told him to go ahead. Better to be out in the open instead of sneaking around. We never cheated on eachother, even when we became separated. It wasn't until we decided to get divorced that we agreed it was okay if either one of us wanted to date. I went on a few dates; nothing that lead to anything. He dated twice. The second date is now his wife. There were about 8 months inbetween his 1st date and the 2nd which is his wife now. Before she came into his life he was starting to look inside to better himself.He seemed happier and said he was feeling better about himself. He spent more time with the kids' who are in his custody. Physical illness prevented them from living with me. Since she came into his life he stopped working on the inside and the children have been pushed to the side. Very sad when people can't learn to be conrent by themself. I believe relationships, like water seek its own level. As healthy of a person you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is as healthy of a person in those areas you will attract. As sick as you are emotionally, mentally and spiritually is the same sick character you will attract. It may not seem this way at first, but stay long enough you will see I tell you the truth. Oh, and if you don't believe me, ask my ex-husband. I will always have love in my heart for him as a friend and as the father of our children. I could never see myself or want to be married again to him. Not to make myself seem better then he, but I have grown so much as a woman, emotionally, mentally and spiritually it wouldn't work. He refuses to continue therapy with his present wife, who tries to get him to go. So you see, they are not happy. Anyway, I continue to work on bettering myself, so when the time comes I will attract and be attracted to a well-rounded healthier person. An intimate relationship, platonic, and a general friendship develops over time and takes hard work. Remember, water seeks its own level and so do people. ~~~FOLLOW YOUR PASSION~~~
Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sorry for the duplicate comment, but I wanted to correct a few spelling mistakes, but when I click edit I get an error has occured on the page. What's up with that? Can someone tell me how to fix it?