Retirement communities...next SSM legal dispute

[LoAmmi]

I could rent a whole house or two and still be exempt. And there is some kind of exemption for senior communities, else they couldn't be "senior". It would be age discrimination.

Age discrimination only applies to people over a certain age as far as I'm aware. 55 I think.

 

[cow451]

Age discrimination only applies to people over a certain age as far as I'm aware. 55 I think.

It may be 40 (at least for employment). Extremely hard to prove.

 

[Episaw]

You need evidence for that claim.

Read what I said, not what you think I said.

 

[super animator]

Read what I said, not what you think I said.

There is nothing complicated about you making a claim without evidence or I do I need to lecture you what a claim is?

 

[Hank77]

It's kind of the same issue of a younger couple trying to get to live in a "senior" community and then complaining of age discrimination for not being allowed to. Fact is these communities do have certain rights to restrict those who are to live there.

I'm also wondering if it makes a difference because the company that owns the facility is a non-profit organization.

 

[Hank77]

Maybe, but discriminating on the basis of gender violates federal housing law. That's what the suit is claiming.

Gender in marriage.
If they were two sisters or mother/daughter gender wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Episaw]

Point being?

That's like saying "Rosa Parks purposely chose that seat on the bus because she knew it would draw attention to herself and knew that it would cause a stir"

There's nothing wrong with taking steps to draw attention toward discriminatory processes that need to be changed.

If, and that's a big IF, that's what they were actually doing. ...considering that there's ample evidence to suggest that's not what was going on in this case. (as many others have already pointed out)

If you follow the homosexual agitators, they pick out businesses that are susceptible to their interpretation of the law so they can cause havoc for people minding their own business.

That is the point being.

There are thousands of these retirements villages in the USA, but they had to pick this one.

I have just moved into a retirement village after looking at several over the last two years. Not once did I kick up a fuss because this was not right or that was not right.

I took my time and found the one that suited me, just like they should have done (that is if they didn't want to cause trouble which they obviously did).

 

[Belk]

If you follow the homosexual agitators, they pick out businesses that are susceptible to their interpretation of the law so they can cause havoc for people minding their own business.

That is the point being.

There are thousands of these retirements villages in the USA, but they had to pick this one.

I have just moved into a retirement village after looking at several over the last two years. Not once did I kick up a fuss because this was not right or that was not right.

I took my time and found the one that suited me, just like they should have done (that is if they didn't want to cause trouble which they obviously did).

You make this claim based on what evidence?

 

[Episaw]

You make this claim based on what evidence?

A computer that is full of cases where this has happened sourced from all around the world.

 

[Belk]

A computer that is full of cases where this has happened sourced from all around the world.

How about you link some of these cases so we can see the evidence?

 

[Episaw]

How about you link some of these cases so we can see the evidence?

I have done my homework so I am not going to do yours.

 

[Belk]

I have done my homework so I am not going to do yours.

Gosh! I am so shocked you will not post information supporting your assertions. I in no way was expecting you to come up with some feeble excuse to avoid having to support your claims.

 

[SimplyMe]

This isn't a condo, or a townhouse, or something of that nature. It's a retirement community.

I live in a condo. I have no idea when the last time it was, that I actually have spoken to any of the neighbors in my area.

Retirement communities are completely different. You do everything with the other members in your community. Both my grandmothers lived in such places, and that was a large part of the package, in determining where they stayed.

You are in a common building, with a common eating area, and common activities area. You spend most of your day, with the other people from your community. When you go shopping, it is usually with the other people from your retirement community.

So yes, it is like you live together. And they have the right to make whatever rules they want, for the property that they have.

And honestly, for many people, I guarantee that it is the rules that govern that community, that attract the people who want to live there. Some people want those rules in place that are Christian based, like traditional marriage.

So no, it's not like a lesbian couple moving into the condo next to me, at all. Not the same.

Actually, we can't say this "This isn't a condo, or a townhouse, or something of that nature." In fact, Sunset Hills is not a "common building." Instead, if you had checked, "Situated atop a hill on 52 scenic acres and bluffs, choose from spacious private residences including villas and apartment homes." The article doesn't clarify what type of unit this couple was seeking but it might have been one of the villas.

As you point out, various retirement centers can be quite different -- and in this case they apparently did a great deal of research, including spending a fair amount of time on the property and having conversations with staff members, and felt it would be a good location for them -- and that they felt they would fit in.

It's also worth pointing out that this is a retirement community and not a Rest Home. They people living in these Retirement Communities do not simply have rooms, they typically have full apartments with living rooms and kitchens. While many do spend much of the day in the common areas, or may eat in the cafeteria, there is no requirement to do so -- and many prefer cooking their own food and have their own vehicles. So much depends on the person or couple that move in -- many who move in want to keep their independence, even while appreciating the social opportunities offered, but like that if/when they need the food and transportation services that the complex has them available.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

If you follow the homosexual agitators, they pick out businesses that are susceptible to their interpretation of the law so they can cause havoc for people minding their own business.

That is the point being.

There are thousands of these retirements villages in the USA, but they had to pick this one.

I have just moved into a retirement village after looking at several over the last two years. Not once did I kick up a fuss because this was not right or that was not right.

I took my time and found the one that suited me, just like they should have done (that is if they didn't want to cause trouble which they obviously did).

By agitator you mean "person who finds it important to staunchly push for equal rights for the fellow people in the same classification"?

The idea of equality under the law (and in society) means that one shouldn't have to worry about shopping around to find a place that treats them like a human being. That courtesy should just be assumed (if, that is, we wish to live in a civilized society)

 

[Mayzoo]

Turns out that it is quite lucrative to violate God's commands and man's law by discrimination against homosexual couples. I just read on another thread that Masterpiece bakery made 1/2 million in donation and a ton of free press when they violated God and man's laws.

LOLOLOL, I was looking for a link to support the 1/2 million in donations and found out Masterpiece is STILL encouraging people to donate!! Violate God's commands and man's law, then get free legal defense and continue to live off others.....what a Christian testimony!!

http://masterpiececakes.com/specialty/

https://www.google.com/search?sourc.......0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.0.0....0.MYcsHJf-dFU

So, no surprise the businesses will start lining up for this new cash cow until that well dries up.

 

[SilverBear]

If you follow the homosexual agitators, they pick out businesses that are susceptible to their interpretation of the law so they can cause havoc for people minding their own business.

That is the point being.

There are thousands of these retirements villages in the USA, but they had to pick this one.

I have just moved into a retirement village after looking at several over the last two years. Not once did I kick up a fuss because this was not right or that was not right.

how many rejected you because of who you were married too?

 

[Ana the Ist]

ST. LOUIS • A St. Louis County senior community has denied housing to a married lesbian couple who have been together for nearly four decades because of the couple’s sexual orientation, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Mary Walsh, 72, and Bev Nance, 68, both of Shrewsbury, say the Friendship Village senior living community, which has locations in Sunset Hills and Chesterfield, denied occupancy to them to live at the Sunset Hills community in 2016 because their relationship violated its cohabitation policy that defines marriage as “the union of one man and one woman, as marriage is understood in the Bible,” according to the lawsuit...

The couple paid a $2,000 deposit and knew they were rejected 2 years ago. I wonder why they're just filing suit now. According to the retirement center's website, it follows Biblical values, but is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or operated by any particular church.

It'll be interesting to see where this goes. The suit was filed in federal court. Sexual orientation is not currently a protected class under federal housing law. Neither is marital status. So if the court applies a strict reading of the law, their case will be dismissed. But sex is a protected class. If they can convince the court that they're being rejected purely because of sex, then they could prevail.

Even if they lose the case, they should definitely get their deposit back. With interest.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local...cle_0233aeb6-3585-511e-a198-74d7c4c05b36.html

I hope they win.

 

[Ana the Ist]

It's kind of the same issue of a younger couple trying to get to live in a "senior" community and then complaining of age discrimination for not being allowed to. Fact is these communities do have certain rights to restrict those who are to live there.

I don't think their beliefs regarding marriage should be one of those rights.

This couple has been together for 4 decades...chances are, that's a lot longer than the marriages of many of the "christians" living there.

If this community was smart, they'd have accepted this couple and asked them to share their wisdom regarding how to keep a marriage successful for so long.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

They may need all the help they can get. As other posts (#s 34 and 35) stated, the courts have accepted the argument that housing discrimination against same-sex couples is in fact, illegal sex discrimination. Perhaps your expertise can prevent this. Assuming that what you claim to be factual data is anything more than your obvious personal bias and preconceived notions.

It's amazing how that works out...

The same folks that suggest that same sex couples "take their discrimination like an adult and just go somewhere else" are often the same ones that cried when a coffee cup generically celebrated all winter holidays instead of showing preference to their preferred holiday. (IE: "it's a war on Christmas because the cup said happy holidays!!!!")

Basically, some folks don't deal too well with the loss of preferential treatment, and attempt to portray those who stand up against them as "trouble makers" or "agitators".

 

[FireDragon76]

That’s why we have courts. This one has SCOTUS written all over it.

I don't see even a conservative court being favorable to the retirement center's argument. If two people are allowed to be legally married, you certainly can't turn them away just because you don't like their particular marriage.