Rent-Sharing and Discrimination

In the (March 31) article, “Single Man Charges Rent-Sharing Bias,” Times staff writer Dean Murphy incorrectly quoted me as saying that Susan Nichols’ rental policy “doesn’t sound discriminatory.”

It is an oversimplification of my response to a hypothetical question and not to a question specifically about Nichols’ rental policy.

The three words, “doesn’t sound discriminatory” in no way convey the main points I made. I emphasized that the Department of Fair Employment and Housing cannot fully determine if a rental policy is discriminatory without an investigation. I also indicated to him that a rental policy could be discriminatory depending on the facts. Murphy completely ignored these significant points.

DIANE M. L. TAN

Staff Attorney,

California Department

of Fair Employment and Housing