S.F. Supervisors OK Proposal to Ban Clubs’ Bias

Supervisors on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting exclusion of women and minorities from membership in the city’s major private clubs, including the Bohemian Club, one of the nation’s most powerful men’s clubs.

Targeted by the ordinance patterned after similar measures in Los Angeles and New York are eight clubs, including three that cater to women.

“It may shake things up a little bit for a few,” Supervisor Nancy Walker predicted shortly before the legislation she proposed passed 11 to 0.

While voting for the measure, Supervisor Wendy Nelder expressed concern that it would be “about as effective (in fighting discrimination) as providing Vitamin C for a broken leg.”

The San Francisco ordinance defines as a business any club with more than 400 members that regularly serves meals and receives income from non-members who dine or rent rooms at the club.

Mayor Dianne Feinstein has 10 days to sign or veto the measure. If signed, the ordinance would take effect after 30 days.

Courts since 1984 have rejected claims by several large male-only clubs that they were private entities. Instead, the courts have ruled that the clubs were businesses, subject to civil rights laws.

During the month since Walker proposed the measure, the issue has triggered heated debate. Judge Anthony Kennedy of Sacramento resigned from the Olympic Club shortly before becoming a finalist for nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court and Justice Edward Panelli stepped down from the Saratoga Men’s Club before appointment to the state’s highest court.