Same-sex couplesInitially eHarmony did not offer
same-sex matches, but now it does through its separate service,
Compatible Partners.
[24] Warren originally explained that he had done extensive research on heterosexual marriage but does not know enough about homosexual relationships to do same-sex match-making which "calls for some very careful thinking. Very careful research."
[24] He also noted that eHarmony promotes heterosexual marriage, adding that same-sex marriage is illegal in most states, "We don't really want to participate in something that's illegal."
[24] In a separate interview, Warren went into more detail on his own views, noting that "cities like San Francisco, Chicago or New York... they could shut [eHarmony] down so fast. We don't want to make enemies out of them. But at the same time, I take a real strong stand against same-sex marriage, anywhere that I can comment on it."
[25]
eHarmony's lack of same-sex matching options prompted
lawsuits claiming that eHarmony violated laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation.
[26] As part of the settlement of a New Jersey case,
[27] eHarmony launched a partner website called
Compatible Partners providing same-sex match-making "for serious couples"
[28][29] Theodore B. Olson, an attorney for eHarmony, said that even though the company believed the complaint was "an unfair characterization of our business," it chose to settle because of the unpredictable nature of litigation.
[30] In 2010, eHarmony settled a separate class-action lawsuit filed in California that alleged illegal discrimination based on sexual orientation. The company, which did not admit wrongdoing, agreed to allow access to both its gay and straight dating sites with a single subscription, to display its gay
dating services more prominently and to establish a settlement fund to pay people who can show they were harmed by the company's policies.
[31][32]
Compatible Partners has attracted over 200,000 registrants.
[33] Garcia also notes that, like, eHarmony,
Compatible Partners attracts high-quality customers: "Because of the price tag and the emphasis on long-term relationships...Compatible Partners' users are seen as quite desirable."
[34]