Couple sues real estate firm after racist text saying, “Ugh. They are Black.”

A Black couple has filed a housing discrimination lawsuit against Douglas Elliman Realty, a real estate agent, and several property owners after what they say was a racially discriminatory text message sent while they were trying to rent an apartment in Queens, New York, according to ABC7 New York. Lisa Renee Olaso and her fiancé, Cyril Christopher, were looking for a rental in June after moving from Delaware for Olaso’s new job. The couple had arranged to tour a property on 26th Avenue in Flushing when Olaso said she received a text message from a Douglas Elliman agent that appeared to have been meant for the property owner.

“As we were getting out of the car, I received the text message that said, ‘Ugh. They are Black,’” Olaso told the outlet. Olaso said she immediately told Christopher to get back in the car.

When confronted about the message, the agent allegedly tried to justify her comments by saying that previous Black tenants in the area had caused problems. The couple later filed suit against Douglas Elliman Realty, the agent, identified as Tzelios, and several individuals listed as property owners. Their attorney, Kenneth Mollins, said he questioned whether the property owners were also involved in the alleged discrimination, arguing that the message suggested the agent and the intended recipient already had an understanding.

Douglas Elliman said the agent is no longer employed by the company. “Douglas Elliman has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind, and the agent is no longer with the company,” a spokesperson told the outlet. The outlet also reported that it had reached out to the agent and the property owners for comment.

Christopher said the experience made him feel judged only because of his race, while Olaso said the agent’s apology did little to lessen the emotional harm. “But it doesn’t change the pain. It doesn’t take away the pain that you caused us that day,” Olaso said.

The lawsuit has brought fresh attention to racial discrimination in housing, where federal fair housing laws prohibit landlords, property owners, and real estate professionals from discriminating against prospective renters based on race. RELATED CONTENT: Formerly Incarcerated Black Men Facing Eviction In Boston Say They’re Being Targeted