What if someone refused to rent you a home or apartment due to your political affiliation? Would you be outraged, or would you understand his or her viewpoint? To the surprise of many, this is something that has actually happened here in Grand Junction.
Mark Holmes, a liberal activist, placed an ad stating he had a two-bedroom apartment on Main Street for rent, but refused to rent to anyone who supported Donald Trump. Holmes says that he didn’t place the ad as a ploy to rent but to send a message to the community that he doesn’t support Trump's views and refuses to live with someone who does.
Whether you agree or disagree with Trump, you shouldn’t be discriminated against; your political views should not have anything to do with renting a home or apartment. Holmes stated that he doesn’t like that Trump is racist and sexist against women. But what if the Trump supporter just simply thinks he has good viewpoints as a businessman in other areas of his campaign? Will Holmes still refuse to rent to them because they support those views?
I consider this situation to be an act of discrimination and I don’t think it’s justifiable. Although discriminating against someone for his or her political views is completely legal and is not protected by the Fair Housing Act, it doesn’t make it OK to do so. Yes, everyone has a right to his or her opinion and has the freedom to express different views, but it shouldn’t be getting to the point where it is affecting residency for someone. I’m not saying Trump is the best candidate to run this country, but people should not be discriminated against because they support him.
Political affiliation should not be involved with renting from someone. You would never see a university tell a prospective student that they refused to accept them into their school because they supported Bernie Sanders for promising free college. Holmes will never know if one of the Trump supporters could have been one of the best tenants he has ever had. He should have been looking at this from a business standpoint, rather than as someone who is basing a leasing agreement off of political affiliation.
Even though it is his property and Holmes has every right to decide to whom he is willing to rent, it still leaves a bad taste in America's, specifically Grand Junction's, mouth. It may not be against the law, but I think it is discrimination.
