Raleigh couple says HOA targeting them based on race, gender identity

Lindsey Sais said the popular sign, which says, "In this house, we believe women's rights are human rights, no human is illegal, love is love, kindness is everything," has been in their window since May of last year, since they moved into Alexander Place.

"We placed it inside the window, not outside. We were trying to follow the rules, and we know where we live and [we're not] trying to get away with anything," Sais said.

This is the couple's third notice of a supposed violation — the others involving a fire pit and a portable collapsible fence. Sais claims other homes have similar violations but haven't been punished.

"We're being targeted, especially when others are allowed to break the rules," she said.

A letter from the HOA to Sais says, "Signs are not permitted to be visible in the community. Please remove the signage."

Sais says to test the theory that her and her partner are being targeted, they are going to get a garden flag for their yard with the same message.

"We are going to set that up as soon as it arrives, and we'll take down the sign," she said. "It's almost like a litmus test. If they suddenly have a problem with the garden sign, now we have no doubt that we are being targeted."

Sais said that she and her partner are not asking to be treated any differently than their neighbors, "we're just asking to be treated the exact same way as everybody else is treated.

"We have until the first of July to remedy the situation, and if we choose not to, then a hearing will be held."

Derek Greene, CEO of the HOA's management company, said that the governing documents are "enforced equally across the entire community. If this was a security sign or a contractor's sign, they would have received the same violation. It has nothing to do with the content of the sign or the people that residence."

If the couple fails to comply by July 1, they could be fined 40 dollars a day.