MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — A Canadian real estate agent who distributed anti-gay marketing flyers promoting “traditional” families as “best for the future of the kids” has been terminated, according to his employer.
Andrew Ciastek, a sales representative for RE/MAX, was terminated for “poor judgment on his personal marketing,” said Christine Martysiewicz, director of internal and public relations for RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada.
Ciastek’s flyer cited a controversial study conducted by Mark Regnerus, a Texas sociologist who criticized same-sex parents and claimed that children of homosexual parents are more likely to be unemployed.
The study itself has been soundly discredited by leading experts in the field of sociology, and the study has been widely criticized for its methodology, research sampling, and peer review process.
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The flyer, one of Ciastek’s frequent newsletters to the community that includes details on agency as well as information about the real estate market, was distributed to hundreds of homes in this western Toronto suburb.
“We assure the general public that his actions in no way reflect RE/MAX or our associates. We’re offended by the insensitivity shown here just as much as the community is. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce and our clients,” Martysiewicz said.
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McDonald said he called Ciastek, Ciastek’s boss, the Human Rights Tribunal and, eventually, the media. He said that the head of RE/MAX for Eastern and Atlantic Canada called him personally to apologize.
McDonald said he’s happy with the result of his week of activism, reported Xtra.ca.
Ciastek said he is not homophobic and would be a “very good neighbor” to a gay man or woman.
RE/MAX said it will be making a donation to the local gay pride organization as a gesture of goodwill.
