Local News in Brief : Club’s Membership Policy Questioned
Leaders of the all-male Tuna Club in Avalon should be sent a letter asking them “to affirm . . . that they, in fact, do not maintain discriminatory practices in their membership or in their operation,” City Atty. Michael Jenkins said.
In an opinion delivered to the Avalon City Council, Jenkins said the sportfishing club, which is housed on city-owned property, would likely be in violation of the state and federal constitutions if it denies membership to women and minorities.
The 200-member Tuna Club is an exclusive, 90-year-old sportfishing club housed in a white, New England-style building on the Santa Catalina Island waterfront. Most of its members are affluent boat owners who live on the mainland.
Club officials have said that its bylaws do not preclude women from being nominated for membership and that none apparently has ever been nominated. Prospective members are nominated by club members based on contributions to sportfishing and conservation.
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