GOP Leader Plans To Gut Atlanta Gay Rights Law

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/12/122904DruidUpdt.htm

The first test of Atlanta's gay rights ordinance may never make it to court. The man expected to become the next chair of the Georgia legislature's powerful House Rules Committee says he intends to bring in a bill to block the city from prosecuting Druid Hills Golf Club for denying spousal benefits to partners of gay members.

As 365Gay.com reported on Monday, (story) Mayor Shirley Franklin has moved to fine the exclusive club $500 a day for each day it does not comply with the ordinance, up to 180 days. That could mean a total fine of $90,000.

Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) says his bill would forbid both the state and municipalities from imposing any penalty on private organizations "engaged in lawful expressive association."


but their actions weren't lawful? this opens up the door to discrimination out the ying yang--wonder if the Klan can get in on this as well

[AllegroRondo]

1. My take on this

As a private club, they have the right to allow or not allow members as they like.
BUT - once they decide that they will allow gays to join, they have to abide by the laws concerning gays and domestic partners.

[Tempest]

2. Read the article

Atlanta's ordinance was passed in 2000 and bars discrimination against gays in "public accommodations". Because it is licensed by the city to sell liquor it falls under the ordinance.

[Florida_Geek]

3. that's simple remove liquor license

and watch how fast they come into line.

[Tempest]

5. Liquor licenses issued by the state

The Atlanta mayor would have to convince the state to remove the license.

If the governor of Georgia was a Democrat, he could direct the state licensing board to remove the license.

[Moloch]

4. I seem to remember a story a few years ago...

about a golf club in Atlanta that would not accept Black members.

I don't remember the name but I'll bet you a dollar it's the same one.

[Tempest]

6. Different club, different form of discrimination

It was Augusta and it was women they wouldn't let join.


I can't find anything relating to a golf club not accepting Blacks in Atlanta in the last 10 years.

[VegasWolf]

7. Wasn't there one in GA that didn't accept women? n/t

[toopers]

17. Yes, it is Augusta National.

It still doesn't have any women members.

[InvisibleBallots]

8. What about poor gays?

Who gives a flying fuck if some gay Yuppies can't hang out with their fellow Yuppies who are bigots? Who gives a shit about these country clubs? Any gay person who would want to be a member is an asshole.

[Left Brain]

9. Asshole or no asshole,

they deserve the right.

[InvisibleBallots]

10. sure, let them fight it by themselves

These Yuppies shouldn't expect any help from me to have their "right" to join a club that EXCLUDES poor people who can't afford them. What about their rights? Why is disciminating against gays worse than discriminating against those who can't afford the membership dues?

Discrimination against gays and lesbians in a serious problem in this country - and these Yuppies make a joke out of it. Some "discrimination" - they can't be rich elitists like the straight Yuppies? Fuck 'em.

[Bridget Burke]

11. Glad you've found a library with Internet access.....

I know the homeless spend lots of time in libraries.

Hope things look up for you soon.

[Divine Discontent]

15. ho hum............... n/t

[toopers]

18. Since this is a non-profit club . . .

the membership dues are purely for keeping the club open. Should they close the club because not everyone can afford it? Should we apply your logic to everything in life?

[davidinalameda]

12. so any Jew or African American or woman

who wants to be a member is an asshole as well?

[InvisibleBallots]

14. Yes

Absolutely. I have no interest in fighting for the "rights" of rich people to join country clubs and exclude poor people. Fuck 'em, we have serious problems in the world.

[jukes]

24. you're missing the point

is that intended?

[InvisibleBallots]

25. It's a question of priorities

We have gays and lesbians being fired from their jobs for no other reason than that they are gay. These are working class people that are trying to feed their families. That's where our focus should be.

Rich gays excluded from other's rich people's parties? I couldn't care less.

[Laughing Mirror]

13. After they pay their $40,000 initiation fee, plus $475 monthly fee

I guess the wealthy gay members think they and their spouses are entitled to the same, more economical, family plan the club offers its straight couples.

But the family plan is not to yet for us. The moral of the story is that gay people are so used to getting overcharged and screwed like this all the time and we are tired of it. The ones that have money and more power can and should squawk about it. It will draw more attention to our status as second-class citizens.

I know if I had a kept dime for every time I've been screwed over in a more modest, but similar fashion throughout the past decades, I'd have a very heavy piggy bank to lug around.

I wonder why a private club even has need for a liquor license. I thought that is why private clubs had private status.

[InvisibleBallots]

16. how many Gays in the US can pay $40,000 to a country club?

With all the discrimination against gays in the US - real, serious discrimination - I'm supposed to care about this, some rich guy can't get accepted into a country club? Fuck 'em.

[Laughing Mirror]

19. Certainly not anybody I know

The problem is not that they are not accepted in the country club. They are, so long as they pay double. They are protesting because they are being overcharged for wanting to be members of that club.

And no, you and I and the rest of the poor gays--and there are many of us, though most Americans think we all have huge disposable incomes, and have fabulous fashion taste like Queer as Folk characters and have endless money to spend like yuppies on Will and Grace, and poor gays are invisible and only prostituting drugged drag queens get sent to jail--inequality regarding our rich brothers and sisters should not have to be a major concern for us who are struggling just to eat, but inequality is inequality be we rich or poor, so we are concerned. We have to be.

[toopers]

21. I guess you are against all property rights?

eom

[InvisibleBallots]

23. no

sorry

[toopers]

27. Sounds like you are . . .

based on your arguments.

[InvisibleBallots]

28. no

no, sorry

[toopers]

20. I believe the club is specific in that it grants certain priveleges to

married couples. Since gay couples are not "legally" married, they feel that they do not have to grant priveleges to non-married couples. I think that is their position.

[The Stranger]

22. Where are the advocacy groups to fight this?

Did they all disappear last November? This anti-gay hate is becoming epidemic and shows no sign of being abated.

[bunkerbuster1]

26. Homophobia has a face (warning--graphic image)

all together... ewwwwwww.

and WTF kinda name is "Earl Ehrlhart"? Earl No-heart, maybe.