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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... COURTS BOLI files housing lawsuit against Medford apartment complex Complaint says Hawthorne Garden Apartments discriminated against gay couple Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 5:06 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 5:06 PM » Social News The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industry is suing a Medford apartment complex on behalf of a gay couple who say their application was rejected because of their sexual orientation. According to a lawsuit filed Sept. 9 in Jackson County Circuit Court by state Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian, Donald English and Bill Templeman had been applying to buy ownership shares from existing residents of the 55-and-older Hawthorne Garden Apartments complex at 737 Stevens St. The eight-page complaint says their rejection followed a now-deceased board member asking one of the couple's references whether they were homosexuals after the unit's existing tenants had told the board that English and Templeman were partners. According to the lawsuit, the Hawthorne Apartments Homeowners' Association told English and Templeman they didn't meet the requirements for the apartment because Templeman was under 55, despite the fact that another application had been approved for a resident who was also below the required age. The lawsuit says the board also rejected a second application by English for an apartment, following an interview in which he explained that he would be the sole occupant of the apartment. Board members wrote in their rejection letter that they believed English "did not intend to follow the age restrictions in place for the cooperative," the complaint says. Attempts made Tuesday afternoon to reach the lawyer representing the apartment complex were unsuccessful. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to $11,000 per defendant, as well as damages of $25,000 and out-of-pocket expenses of $20,795. BOLI is being represented in the case by the Oregon Department of Justice. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471 or [email protected] . Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty . By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 15, 2015 at 5:06 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501