"Two gay men who say a landlord refused to allow them to move into his building in Yellowknife [Northwest Territories, Canada] have taken him before a human rights panel. Scott Robertson and Richard Anthony told a hearing that they signed a one-year lease, but the landlord refused to recognize it after finding out they were a couple. They said they were left homeless for 10 days, and have suffered stress and anxiety in the 13 months since the disagreement," reports Canadian Press. "Property owner Will Goertzen says he rented the unit to another family because he feared God's punishment if he allowed gays to live in the apartment. The panel's adjudicator says he will be releasing his decision later this summer."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Gay couple left homeless after landlord refused to allow them to move into rental unit
Gay men are often discriminated against when renting apartments in Canada but you rarely hear about it. Scott Robertson and Richard Anthony say a landlord refused to allow them to move into his building in Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) after realizing they were a gay male couple. Scott and Richard are asking for a monetary payment citing "injury to dignity, feelings and self respect." I sure hope things go well for them. Sixteen years ago, my partner CJ and I, experienced a very similar situation in Ontario. It was a very stressful time!
"Two gay men who say a landlord refused to allow them to move into his building in Yellowknife [Northwest Territories, Canada] have taken him before a human rights panel. Scott Robertson and Richard Anthony told a hearing that they signed a one-year lease, but the landlord refused to recognize it after finding out they were a couple. They said they were left homeless for 10 days, and have suffered stress and anxiety in the 13 months since the disagreement," reports Canadian Press. "Property owner Will Goertzen says he rented the unit to another family because he feared God's punishment if he allowed gays to live in the apartment. The panel's adjudicator says he will be releasing his decision later this summer."
"Two gay men who say a landlord refused to allow them to move into his building in Yellowknife [Northwest Territories, Canada] have taken him before a human rights panel. Scott Robertson and Richard Anthony told a hearing that they signed a one-year lease, but the landlord refused to recognize it after finding out they were a couple. They said they were left homeless for 10 days, and have suffered stress and anxiety in the 13 months since the disagreement," reports Canadian Press. "Property owner Will Goertzen says he rented the unit to another family because he feared God's punishment if he allowed gays to live in the apartment. The panel's adjudicator says he will be releasing his decision later this summer."
