A Florida condominium association has adopted a policy that
prohibits gay couples from buying into the neighborhood.
Casa Di Amici Condo in Venice adopted the restriction in July. It
states that only single people or couples legally married as “husband
and wife” can purchase a home.
“Sales limited to individual or husband and wife,” the
document states.
“I could not believe what I was reading,” Julia Nowak, a gay
realtor, told Tampa
Bay CBS affiliate WTSP. “It basically says you have to be
either a single person or a husband and wife to purchase a unit
here.”
The restriction “basically excludes gay people, it excludes two
elderly people who want to save on their Social Security so they
don't get married,” Nowak said.
Attorney Mary Greenwood of the Brandon Law Center called the
restriction “discriminatory” but also agreed with the condo
association's attorney, who insists that “there's nothing illegal
or contrary to federal, state or local ordinances.”
The
Miami New Times notes that the condo units are located
just outside of Venice, in unincorporated Sarasota County. Which
means that the city's anti-discrimination ordinance cannot be
enforced.