Governor De-Sexes Dinner Seating

After protests from the state’s 11 women lawmakers, Gov. George Deukmejian has decided to change the seating arrangement at dinners he throws for California senators and assemblymen.

Women legislators appeared at all three dinner tables Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to silence criticism that he was being sexist.

At three earlier gatherings, Deukmejian sat with men at one table, and the assemblywomen and female senators were seated with the governor’s wife, Gloria.

“We were beginning to think we were being discriminated against by being put at one table,” said Assemblywoman Jean M. Duffy (D-Citrus Heights).

“Either they knew it was being discussed or they changed the format,” Duffy said. “They had the women divided among three tables. That’s how it should be.”