State Senate Passes Bill That Targets Bias in Clubs

Moving to end state support for private clubs that practice discrimination, the Senate passed legislation Friday that would prohibit the issuance or renewal of liquor licenses to large clubs that exclude women or minorities.

The bill, approved by a 24-4 vote, marks the Legislature’s toughest step yet to open the doors of private clubs that historically have been the bastion of wealthy, white men.

“California is still licensing discrimination by providing discount state liquor licenses to private clubs which refuse to admit women, blacks, Jews and other minorities,” said Sen. Barry Keene (D-Benicia), who carried the measure on the Senate floor. “This bill stops the involvement of the state in the direct support of discrimination.”

As many as 70 clubs could lose their liquor licenses under the bill, although the measure’s author, Assemblyman Terry Friedman (D-Tarzana), said it was unclear precisely how many of those establishments would actually be affected. Clubs that broaden their membership to admit women and minorities before the bill would take effect Jan. 1 would not lose their liquor licenses.

‘Changing Their Rules’

“Because of this legislation, and others, the clubs are changing their rules,” Friedman said. “We shall see if they’re changing their conduct.”

Among the clubs in danger of losing their liquor licenses are the Los Angeles Country Club, the Wilshire Country Club and the Pacific Union Club in San Francisco, according to Friedman’s office.

The Jonathon Club, the California Club and others that have moved to admit women and minority members in recent months could also lose their liquor licenses if they were to continue any discriminatory practices, such as providing segregated facilities.

The bill, which has already been approved by the Assembly, is one in a series of actions taken by the Legislature, the state Franchise Tax Board, local governments and the U.S. Supreme Court during the last two years limiting the ability of private clubs to practice discrimination.

Liquor License Ban

Although bills similar to the Friedman measure have been proposed each year for the last 12 years, this is the first time the liquor license ban has won passage from both houses of the Legislature.

The bill now goes back to the Assembly for final approval of Senate amendments. Gov. George Deukmejian, who in the past has signed other anti-discriminatory measures, has taken no position on the legislation.

Senior citizen, religious, ethnic and fraternal organizations--such as the Elks, Moose or Lions clubs--are not covered by the bill. Friedman said these clubs were exempted because they are already covered by a U.S. Supreme Court decision banning discrimination by the Rotary Club.

Opposition Softened

However, the exclusion of these clubs from the bill also softened opposition among lawmakers such as Sen. Ruben S. Ayala (D-Chino), who expressed concern that religious clubs such as the Knights of Columbus would be unduly restricted by the measure.

The legislation would apply to clubs that have more than 400 members, offer regular meal service and accept payment from non-members for meals and other services.

If the bill becomes law, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would investigate the 70 clubs covered by the bill to determine which of them, if any, engages in discriminatory practices.

Both Friedman and Keene noted that 70% of the people in California are excluded from joining many of these clubs because of their race, sex or religion.