WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - A billboard for a dating website along SR 201 in West Valley City is getting a bit of attention, with many Utahns saying the website it advertises represents outdated thinking.
The giant ad for WhereWhitePeopleMeet.com, between 5600 W. and 7200 S., is turning heads and leaving residents with many unanswered questions.
A FOX 13 viewer who wanted to remain anonymous voiced concerns about the dating service that, according to its website, has a main office in North Salt Lake.
Related: ‘Where White People Meet’ dating site talks to Fox 13 after billboard controversy
Several Utahns spoke with FOX 13 News about their take on the billboard.
“I just don’t think it’s the way to teach our kids to love all when you see billboards like that," Kim Gilbert said.
Michelle Dessau said she thinks the billboard represents exclusionary views.
“I just feel we should be past that whole mindset of staying within our own race and segregation pretty much," Dessau said.
Kayla Lemmon said she is opposed to the idea of dating sites aimed at a single race.
“I have a lot of friends who are biracial couples and they’re in love and they’re happy," she said. "I don’t think we should have a dating site with only one race. I think it excludes someone who could be your soul mate and is a different color than you."
FOX 13 News' efforts to reach the operators of the website have so far not been successful. Below is the information posted in the dating site's "About Us" section:
"I am sure some of you are wondering about the concept and need for a dating website titled “Where White People Meet.Com”. Our answer to that would be why not? There are various dating websites that promote and cater to just about every origin, race, religion and lifestyle out there. So again, why not “Where White People Meet.Com”?
The question naturally arises, can anyone join? That answer is yes, as long as you are at least 18 years of age and you agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth for all members to follow. We want our dating forum to be simple and inexpensive with the ability to connect like minded people in a non discriminatory fashion.
Here at “Where White People Meet.Com” we believe in the concept that all people have the right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. We also believe that finding your perfect partner, your soul mate is one of the best ways, as humans, to obtain happiness. Furthermore we believe that all men are created equal (the word men stands for a species, not gender).
We sincerely hope that you decide to join today. There are hundreds of dating websites to choose from, so please join ours if it fits your preferences and helps bring your ideal soul mate that much closer. Here at http://www.wherewhitepeoplemeet.com we believe that all people, regardless of race, creed, color or religion deserve to be happy and that no one should go through life alone."
Fox 13 News is working to confirm the validity of the site and will update you when we know more.
