Jonathan Club Sues Over Bias Ordinance
The exclusive Jonathan Club in Los Angeles asked a federal judge Monday to rule that a city anti-discrimination ordinance that required the club to open its bar and grill to women is unconstitutional.
The motion filed Monday before U.S. District Judge Jesse Curtis contends that the city ordinance is “unconstitutional as it is being applied to the club, because the club is a purely private institution,” said the club’s attorney, John Shiner.
A hearing on the motion was scheduled for June 26 before Curtis. The suit challenges the constitutionality of a 1987 anti-discrimination ordinance that led the city to force the club to allow women to use its second-floor bar and grill.
In moving to open the dining and drinking area, the city is trying to interfere with the club’s private affairs, a violation of its members constitutional rights, club President Gary Hankins said.
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