A blatant case of gender discrimination ignored on a daily basis...?

Question

When it comes to affordable housing with roommates, I've encountered a serious case of discrimination based on my gender. An overwhelming amount of landlords, fellow renters, etc, male and female, only want female roommates/renters. Yet there is zero outcry of "sexism" or "discrimination" in this event. To the obvious excuse of "well, women just feel safer/comfortable/etc with other women..." is their house or apartment going to be a convent? No members of the opposite s*x allowed? As if a male roommate would shatter their collective innocence? Rape them the first chance he'd get? As to men who only want women for roommates, many times women are offered discounts or free rent in exchange for engaging in pleasurable-for-both-parties activities! Hardly "hard labor" there. I'd love to hear how this discrimination can be considered legal or even right, equality-wise.

Answer 1

When they're looking for roommates, they can ask for whomever they want. It's their private place. When it's a landlord looking for new renters, though, s*x shouldn't matter.

Answer 2

I can understand why a woman might not want to live with a guy she didn't know. Whether you see it as an excuse or not, and whether it's justifiable or not, a lot of women really DON'T feel safe being alone with or living with men (family and close friends excepted). But aside from that... how weird! I really don't understand it at all, and yes it is discrimination.

As for the legal aspect of it, I don't think you can do anything about it in the cases of individuals choosing who they want to live with. It's totally up to them who they invite into their homes. But if LANDLORDS are seriously refusing to rent to you just because you're male... that can't possibly be legal.

Answer 3

A landlord is operating a private business.  He/she has a right to discriminate based on any trait they choose.  Additionally, a woman who wants a roommate ALSO has a right to discriminate based on any trait she chooses.  

I don't get why you think this is something people should be concerned about.  Landlords should not be FORCED to rent an apartment to a men if they don't want to, and female boarders should not be FORCED to cohabitate with a man.

Answer 4

If a bloke puts an ad for a male house mate people will think they are g*y

Answer 5

I understand what you are saying Derek and it sounds very disappointing. Unfortunately the only advice I can give you is look elsewhere for living arrangments.

Answer 6

I know what you're saying, but it's just like..people want to have certain people in their house..and you can't help that.

someone might just happen to feel comfortable around other women. it's just how they are.

Answer 7

Well landlords cannot do this it is illegal discrimination.  However if you are renting out a single room in your home I could see slightly different laws being in place.  Your personality, mannerism and over all attitude may come into play as well.

But I am a married woman who has never tried to get housing as a man so I may be off base here.  It seems likely that this is happening, but it was not something I was truly aware of.  Perhaps it is something that needs to be acknowledged so the laws can be better enforced and those committing these injustices are held accountable.

Answer 8

... So make an outcry then - obvious solution surely? Maybe there's no outcry because everyone - like you seem to be doing - expects someone else to be making it for them.

Renting out individual rooms in a already full house - it's fair to specify. There can be any number of reasons for this - how comfortable they feel being one of them (one girl in my year came from a very strict religion, which meant no male housemates). The landlords refusing to rent is bad though. So speak to your Uni student services about it, create a fuss, etc. FInd out how wide spread it is - if you don't, nothings going to change because except for groups of just-males renting houses, no one is going to *know*

Answer 9

We have the right to choose who we live with! Its up to individuals to choose what criteria they are comfortable with. Its not discrimination, its choice.

Now if you were going to rent an apartment on your own and you were denied based on your gender, thats differnt. That would be discrimination.

Answer 10

In our retarded feminist society discrimination is considered bad only if women are the victims. When the victim is male nobody cares.

Answer 11

Women are raped all the time, why on earth would it offend you if a woman used enough intelligence not to put herself in what could be a dangerous situation. If I didn't know the person, you can bet your butt I wouldn't rent with a strange man, just like I wouldn't let a homeless guy sleep in for the night, especially since it is my responsibility to keep my kids and myself safe! Your equality argument is absurd, unless of coarse you want to house with some dikes, I'm sure they wouldn't mind considering their whole goal is to walk, talk and act like a man. ;-)

Answer 12

it's generally because landlords/landladies have learned that men trash places more than women. women generally keep the place in a better state. sorry it's just a fact and they're entitled to rent out rooms to who they like

as for women only wanting women this could be because that's what the landlord/landlady has specified (for reason mentioned) or because they just prefer to live in a house with women. again, that's their choice and they're quite entitled to it

Answer 13

You coming to a board and whining about women not wanting to have a male roommate is stunning.  Women here are told constantly that they are responsible for not putting themselves in situations where they could be raped.     How can you guarantee the safety of all women?      

Women simply want to be able to dress or undress as they choose in their own home.     With a male roommate that freedom ceases.

Edit:  Someone asked the other day about answering questions- whether we really did honest answers or did we simply get annoyed.   I am annoyed by this question.   My tolerance level is not high today.    Sorry.

Answer 14

Actually, this is illegal.  You cannot advertise to rent a place and then discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race.  If you are renting you are renting, and you do not have the right to specify who you will or will not rent to.  People usually don't realize that it's illegal and that's why it happens.  However, landlords should be aware of the law as people who do this can be fined.