Last week, Los Angeles-based Spark Networks Inc. was told it could no longer exclude people looking for same-sex relationships from its various sites, including ChristianMingle.com, SilverSingles.com, and CatholicMingle.com.

 

The lawsuit against the company was filed in California and began three years ago when two gay men claimed the company's policies were discriminatory. The men's lawyers argued that the company was in violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, an anti-discrimination law in California that requires businesses to provide “full and equal accommodations” regardless of sexual orientation.

 

The Superior Court of California judge ordered the company to include more search options for people looking for same-sex partners. The judge also ordered Spark to pay each plaintiff $9,000 and $450,000 in attorneys’ fees.

 

Spark must ensure such changes are in place within 24 months.

 

“I am gratified that we were able to work with Spark to help ensure that people can fully participate in all the diverse market places that make our country so special, regardless of their sexual orientation,” said Vineet Dubey of Custodio & Dubey LLP, one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys. 

 

Does this mean that Grindr will soon have to open its online doors to straight men and women? (Well. there are already a lot of "straight" men on Grindr, so it wouldn't make much of a difference really.)