EHarmony settlement erodes everyone's freedom

James G. Lakely
Monday, December 8, 2008

The decision by EHarmony to settle a sexual discrimination lawsuit last month by creating a same-sex matchmaking service is no victory for justice. It did nothing less than allow government to take away the freedom of entrepreneurs to establish and stick to their own business plans.

In 2005, Eric McKinley logged onto EHarmony's matchmaking service, and was troubled to learn that the Web site did not offer him the option of "male seeking male." McKinley promptly filed a complaint with the New Jersey Attorney General's Civil Rights Division, which picked up the case, accusing EHarmony of discriminating based on sexual orientation.

Instead of continuing to fight the government - which enjoys limitless public resources and can afford to litigate indefinitely - EHarmony decided to submit. That result should trouble anyone who values liberty, no matter where one stands on gay rights. the rest