Techfun

This week the New Jersey attorney general settled a lawsuit with eHarmony Inc, a popular matchmaking site that previously did not serve same-sex daters, requiring it also offer same-sex matching services.

“eHarmony has an impressive track record of helping heterosexual couples find meaningful relationships,” said Patrick Perrine, the Founder and CEO of the gay dating service myPartner.com. “Like Dr. Neil Clark Warren, I launched myPartner.com to provide specialized, comprehensive matching services specifically designed for those online daters seeking long term relationships. The difference is that myPartner.com’s compatibility system was created exclusively based on the needs and wants of gay men.”

While the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community has historically been hostile towards eHarmony.com due to their unwillingness to match same-sex couples, Perrine maintains that their matchmaking methodology is sound, it just happens to cater to heterosexuals — the largest niche population. “Our compatibility system was designed by gay men for gay men,” said Perrine, “and would not work for heterosexuals, or lesbians for that matter, in the same way I don’t expect eHarmony’s current compatibility system to work for same-sex daters.” While there are many similarities between same-sex and opposite-sex partner selection, there are also vast differences that relate to cultural traits, relationships histories and lifestyle interests.

“eHarmony’s entry into the gay matchmaking marketplace is an extremely visible blow to the myth that gay men and women aren’t interested in forming real relationships,” says Perrine. “But gay clientele are going to expect to receive the same quality of services eHarmony has provided to their current customer base since their launch in 2000 and not feel as though they are being pandered to because of a lawsuit.”

About myPartner.com – Pioneering the dating industry in Online Introductions and Private Matchmaking Services for gay men, myPartner caters to sophisticated, cultured and relationship oriented gay men. Unlike other gay dating services, myPartner is a relationship based matchmaking service. For more information, visit http://www.mypartner.com/.

About Patrick Perrine – Patrick H. Perrine, MA is the company’s Founder, CEO and Gay Relationship Expert. Perrine has worked in the field of human sexuality since 1997 with experience developing and cultivating relationships for LGBT people. Perrine has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Human Sexuality Studies. Perrine brings his experience and dedication to the matchmaking process; and conducts many matchmaking services personally, acting as each client’s “life-partner headhunter” and “relationship consultant.” For more information, visit http://www.mypartner.com/patrick.html.