The Internet matchmaking company eHarmony.com was served with a discrimination lawsuit in response to the website’s refusal of homosexual members. The suit has been served on behalf of Linda Carlson, one of those who had been previously turned down, and will potentially be converted into a class action suit to represent others who have been discriminated against.

California laws state that membership of any service should not be affected by race, marital status, sex and other basic factors. This conflicts with the company’s rather strict limitations in its allowance of memberships and matchmaking policies. The company relies on a series of tests to establish an accurate profile of a good match for members which includes gathering information regarding marital status and sexual orientation.

The company’s refusal of the admittance of gay members is explained as a lack of research into the psychology of homosexuality leaving the company without the necessary information to provide matches for gay and lesbian members. The company described its research to date as being “based on the traits and personality patterns of heterosexual marriages.”

The founder of eHarmony.com, Dr. Neil Clark Warren, further defends the company’s aversion to homosexual members by explaining the company’s mission to match singles for the purpose of marriage. Dr. Warren states that given the still illegal status of same-sex marriage in most states the company, it “doesn’t really want to participate in something that’s illegal.”

The discrimination suit against the company appears to be the first regarding gay rights, though in 2006 the company was also sued for refusing membership to a married man who was in the process of a divorce.