Timeline is a regular feature in each issue looking back to events and milestones that have helped us evolve into the community we are today.

Feb. 19, 1988

Don’t leave home it was suggested. Fine, except for one thing—gay men were ticked off. When a vacation sweepstakes sponsored by a Florida and Tennessee company excluded gay men from participating, gay advocates ran straight into court. National Gay Rights Advocates filed suit against Vacation America and Trans World Vacations when they refused to honor a free vacation post card they had sent to prospective travelers. Ed Patrick, recipient of the free vacation post card, had been notified that he had his choice of vacations to either Mexico or Florida after meeting certain initial provisions. Agreeing to listen to the sales pitch for real estate from Transworld, Patrick also had to pay a $ 90 “processing fee.”

Patrick later received confirmation of his trip, along with the “terms and conditions” of the trip. As Patrick read on, however, he learned that he was not eligible for the vactation because the offer applied only to “married or co-habitating hetero-couples, or two unmarried, unrelated women arriving together.” Patrick then informed Vacation America that he would be traveling with his male lover of 7 years. However, Vacation America refused to alter their terms or refund Patrick’s money.

“The terms and conditions of Vacation America’s offering clearly violate the federal Fair Housing Act, and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act,” said NGRA Legal Director Leonard Graff. “Since they accepted Ed’s payment, but refused to let him and his lover participate in the program, we’re also suing for fraud and false advertising. Vacation America’s actions were intentional, malicious and oppressive, and NGRA is going to hold them accountable in court.”

Patrick, a 33-year-old baker, filed the suit from his home in Sebastapol, CA. The suit had been filed in the United States District Court in San Francisco. From the moment Patrick sought representation, National Gay Rights Advocates were covering the case. “Vacation America’s policy is homophobic and irrational,” said NGRA Executive Director Jean O’ Leary. “While they have attempted to exclude our entire community from this program, it’s plainly open to lesbians, as two unmarried, unrelated women, arriving together are eligible. While I’m sure this isn’t what they had in mind, when a company is that inept at discriminating, it makes our job of fighting them that much easier.” 

Tags: 2010, 37-06, LATE MARCH