Discrimination by landscapers against a gay couple...read on...?

Question

Some people didn't like my last question, apparently, but they let the bigotry stay. All right then. I've got another.

First read this:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/4277355.html

Then answer:

1. Do you support the Farbers' rights to refuse a client for any reason?
2. Would you refuse a client for believing differently (ex.: being anti-gay)?
3. Have you ever been discriminated against for being LGBT?
4. How would you handle the Farbers, or people who thought like them, if this happened to you?

As a Libertarian who wants to run a small business with my Libertarian wife one day (interior design/decor), this made me think real hard.

Hi, DBD. The last bit wasn't a question, but a statement of where I come from and why I'm thinking about this. My wife and I may one day be in the situation of being asked to work for someone we consider morally reprehensible, and even though we think the Farbers were mean and wrong, we'd like that right of refusal, too.

Answer 1

After reading the Houston Chronicle article, I would say this...
Actions have consequences, and it seems as if the Farbers want to be free to act as they want to without any consequences.

1. I do not support their decision to refuse a client for any reason, but that is their decision unless prohibited by law. Do Houston laws allow the same discrimination of race and ethnicity? If they are following the law it is not a problem of them, but a problem with the law.
2. I would never refuse a client for believing differently for the sole reason that it is not a good business practice. As misguided as they may be, if you are in a business you should be doing so to serve the needs of the customer. If the customer is very different from yourself, hopefully you will learn from them and they will learn from you.
3. Yes.
4. They have the right to be bigots, and customers have the right to boycott their business. It appears that they want to judge others but become upset when others judge them.

Answer 2

1. Do you support the Farbers' rights to refuse a client for any reason? As owners of a private company , they have the right to refuse to do work for anyone, for any reason. Although I don't agree with refusing a client service because of the clients sexual orientation.
2. Would you refuse a client for believing differently (ex.: being anti-gay)? If I owned the company and a client made it known to me that they didn't like the fact that I was a lesbian, I wouldn't work for them. I know that contradicts my first answer, but, I wouldn't feel comfortable in that situation.
3. Have you ever been discriminated against for being LGBT? YES!!
4. How would you handle the Farbers, or people who thought like them, if this happened to you? Knowing their stand on homosexuality, I wouldn't recommend them to my gay OR straight friends.

When you and your wife open your business, you will have the right to refuse service to anyone.

Answer 3

1.) No I do not support their right to discriminate and that works on both sides of the question. Segregation is a negative not a positive, it does not breed civil or caring responses or relationships, it just breeds hate and zero tolerance of some one ,some class, race etc..

2.) No I would not refuse a client for believing differently, however I would be tempted to refuse a client who is hateful, vengeful and causing trouble .

3.) I'm 52 and have been gay all of my life as I was created to be. I have never felt or experienced discrimination.

4.) I do not believe it is for us to judge others, however I would find it very hard to work with the Farbers, coming with so much hate in their souls and veins I would not want to be involved with them at all.

Answer 4

I Think in business anyone who posts pictures of there kids and links showing support for there religious beliefs on there business website is really not in business.Same with people who put rainbows on there sites ...work is work and about making a living not preaching

There offering a service not a commentary on any ones life id say they got exactly what they deserved and i hope they learnt a little something ...if you discriminate against future customers expect them to discriminate back

Ive fired con-creators and other trades people because of there racial discrimination when it became apparent on work sites ,why would you let a few mess up the working life of many.

Never experienced discrimination on being gay but then ime not a timid personality i tend to react to **** like that badly.

Yes i have cancelled contracts when i found they were anti gay,my loss and i don't care really,I would do the same if they were racist as well

Answer 5

Actually they do have the right to refuse to provide service to anyone, but those actions also have consequences, it's their decision, let them live with it.
Yes I would and have before refused to work for people because of their beliefs, it was MY choice to not work with them, money isn't worth compromising my principles.
Yes I have been discriminated against and probably will be again. So be it. I am who I am. If they or whoever doesn't like it, they can step aside, I'm not going anywhere or changing anything to suit them.
I would have taken out an ad in the paper explaining the whole situation in no uncertain terms. If you wish to discriminate and be a bigot, that's your choice, the days of hiding behind hoods and sheets are over. It's time to drag bigots kicking and screaming into the light of public scrutiny and let others judge their actions as they presume to judge us.

Answer 6

1. no I don't think ther Farbers have any right to refuse anyone..anymore than the bus company can refuse to carrry me.
2. no I wouldn't ...but I might not do as good a job for them
3. definitely...who amongst us hasn't?
4. I would refuse to do business with them...I choose where I spend my money..Also I would advise my friends of my knowledge of their business pratices...never underestimate the power of word of mouth.
...but I really don't know what you mean about your last question...as related to this one????

Answer 7

What I can tell you is that discrimination against religion, sexual orientation, race and color are against the law...If you have any phobias against any of these things it's best not to start a business...I think the guy is going to end up in a law suit and lose. Actually, I know so....