A heterosexual Arizona woman has filed a class-action suit against Avis Rent A Car alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Lynn Evenchik claims that Avis’ practice of offering discounts to members of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce violates California’s civil rights law, which prohibits businesses from offering discounts to customers based on sexual orientation, according to the San Diego Reader.
Evenchik rented a car for $311.36 from an Avis desk at the San Diego International Airport for one week in July 2011. She later learned that members of the LGBT groups received discount codes entitling them to 20-25 percent off standard rental rates under marketing agreements between the company and the organizations.
“These unfair and unlawful business practices result in many consumers who are not affiliated with those organizations paying substantially higher rental rates than those made available to gay and lesbian renters,” Evenchik’s complaint states.
She is seeking damages and restitution on behalf of anyone who rented a car from Avis since the company began offering the discounts – about September 2010.
Evenchik also wants an injunction against Avis continuing to offer reduced rates to members of the gay and lesbian organizations.
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