£5k compensation for couple outed by estate agents
July 31st, 2008
A lesbian couple outed in a bizarre estate agent advert have won £5000 in compensation.
Suzanne Richards and Sarah Dobinson were shocked to discover the word ‘lesbians’ in an online advert displayed by estate agents Jackson-Stops & Staff. The word was used as part of the property reference.
When the couple complained, the estate agents allegedly wrote back saying “We fail to see how we have discriminated against you.”
Ms Richards told the Telegraph “We were both shaking with disbelief and in tears when we read the property reference. We felt so violated. We had trusted these people, welcomed them into our home and this was how they treated us.
“The repercussions of such actions could have been catastrophic. Publicly linking our home address with our sexuality could have ruined our lives. The fact that Jackson-Stops & Staff stated that they failed to see how they had discriminated against us is the ultimate insult. They have clearly shown they have no comprehension or knowledge of the laws that govern them or indeed how to treat others equally and fairly.”
The matter was settled out of court, with the estate agents admitting liability, paying £5,000 for injury to feelings and promising to send staff on diversity training.
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