Gays’ eHarmony suit a class action

People seeking same-sex relationships on eHarmony can sue as a class action case against the online matchmaking website, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.

Judge Victoria Chaney granted class certification for the lawsuit filed on behalf of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the state who were unable to seek same-sex matches on eHarmony.

The online dating service, based in Pasadena, calls itself the “#1 Trusted Relationship Site” and boasts that it has kindled romance for “millions of people of all ages, ethnicities, national origins and religious and political beliefs.” However, eHarmony serves only users looking for heterosexual partners. When signing up for a match, users must choose whether they are a “Man seeking a woman” or a “Woman seeking a man.”

“eHarmony is not providing a service to people who are seeking a same-sex match, and that is really a violation of California law,” said Joshua Konecky, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

A trial is set for October 2009 to determine whether eHarmony is in violation of state law, Konecky said.

-- Joanna Lin