RI ACLU Says Westerly Yacht Club’s Actions Violate “State’s Civil Rights Act & RI Laws”
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU, said in a statement that the Westerly Yacht Club's ban of women violates the Rhode Island Civil Rights Act and RI Laws.
Brown released the statement regarding the Yacht Club on Friday.
Brown's Statement is Below
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“The ACLU has read with interest the recent news stories about the Westerly Yacht Club’s policy barring women from being full members of the club.
The ACLU fully appreciates that private clubs have a general First Amendment right to associate without government interference – a right that we support. However, that right is not absolute. In this case, it is our understanding that the Club opens some of its facilities to non-members, serves as an important networking opportunity for business people in the community, and has benefitted from state and federal funds over the years.
It also seems clear that the ban on women members is not because the Club seeks to express some sort of political view about the role of women, but is instead simply an archaic vestige from another era when women were treated as second-class citizens in a wide variety of settings. Indeed, under this antiquated policy, even a woman’s auxiliary status is dependent on her husband not divorcing her or dying.
Times have changed, as have our laws. Based on these facts, we believe that the Club’s actions constitute a violation of both the state’s Civil Rights Act and Rhode Island laws banning sex discrimination in public accommodations.
This being 2016 and not 1916, we trust the Club will immediately change its policy and welcome women as full members. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing from any individuals who are adversely affected by the Club’s discriminatory policy so we can work with them to address this unacceptable state of affairs.”
Related Articles
- New: Women Denied Membership at Westerly Yacht Club Yet Again in 2016
- RI Female Leaders Criticize Westerly Yacht Club’s Males-Only Membership Policy
- NEW: Providence Sued by ACLU Over Musician’s Ability to Play in Public
- ACLU of RI Supports Supreme Court Decision On Hotels Giving Police Guest Lists
- RI ACLU Asks Fung for Full Report on Cranston Police Dept. Investigation
- RI ACLU Asks Cranston City Council to Further Investigate Police Practices
- Homeland Security Test at T.F. Green Opposed by RI ACLU
- ACLU of RI Files Lawsuit That Challenges 106-Year-Old Statute
- New ACLU Report: Racial Disparities In RI School Suspensions Highest in Decade
- Racial Disparities Report by RI ACLU Called “Extraordinary” by Community Leaders
- ACLU Report: RI Elementary Schools Promote Gender Stereotypes
- ACLU Blasts Motel 6 Agreement To Share Guest List With Warwick PD
- NEW: RI ACLU Questions “Superficial” Motel 6 Guest List Change
- NEW: RI ACLU Defends Sex Offenders Against Law Forcing Them to Move
- NEW: RI ACLU “Deeply Troubled” by Pawtucket Protests and Arrests
- ACLU, Groups Demand to See RI State Police Report on Tolman Officer
- RI ACLU Finds Multiple Violations of Open Meetings Act
- RI ACLU Files Suit Against Prov Ordinance Prohibiting 3+ College Students Living Together
- ACLU Says Prov Officials’ Attempt to Block Church Services in Burnside Park is Unconstitutional
- RI ACLU Blasts Barrington Police for Arresting Kids as Young as 12
- ACLU Sues Tiverton, Says 3rd Grader Arrested Without Cause
- ACLU Files Lawsuit Challenging Residency Restriction of Sex Offenders
- NEW: Harmony Fire District Charged With Sex Discrimination by RI ACLU
- NEW: ACLU Reports RI Public Schools Handed Out 12,682 Suspensions Last Year
- ACLU Claims U.S. is Illegally Detaining U.S. Citizens
- NEW: Mattiello Disappointed in Raimondo’s Veto of “Revenge Porn” Bill, ACLU Applauds Action