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starmartyr t1_iu7mqzm wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in TIL Jewish persons could not hold public office in Maryland until 1826 by synonyco

Unfortunately, it's not. Country clubs are private clubs that are allowed to discriminate when it comes to choosing members. There are still country clubs that do not allow black people or Jews and others that do not allow women. It's less common than it used to be, but it still happens.

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chriswaco t1_iu7qlu1 wrote

Depends on the state and the type/definition of private club. In Michigan it's been illegal since 1976 for most family clubs:

>(2) If a private club allows use of its facilities by 1 or more adults per membership, the use must be equally available to all adults entitled to use the facilities under the membership. All classes of membership shall be available without regard to race, color, gender, religion, marital status, or national origin. Memberships that permit use during restricted times may be allowed only if the restricted times apply to all adults using that membership.

Of course, that doesn't prevent discrimination, it just makes it more difficult. We had a friend in the 1980s that was the first Jew at a major country club here. Typically two existing members have to sign the membership request and they simply wouldn't do it for Jews. He was an auto exec, though, and the thought of losing all of the execs from his company changed a few minds.

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starmartyr t1_iu7r476 wrote

That's true, but there's currently no law against it federally and it does happen in some places.

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[deleted] t1_iu7q2sa wrote

[deleted]

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starmartyr t1_iu7rg2e wrote

A private club is like a private residence. I can refuse to let black people in my house. It's a disgusting and racist thing to do, but it's perfectly legal for me to do so.

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[deleted] t1_iu7s3uq wrote

[deleted]

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starmartyr t1_iu7t5j8 wrote

Restaurants are open to the public. There are private dining clubs where only members are permitted to enter. Golf clubs do the same although some states have restrictions on this. I don't agree with the practice, but it is legal.

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Major_Lennox t1_iu7r3h4 wrote

I don't think that's right:

> Marcy Frost, an employment attorney at Moss & Barnett, says it all depends on the word "private".

> "If you are truly a private club, and not open to the public, the answer is generally, yes, you're allowed to discriminate," said Frost.

> Why?

> "On the theory we have a Constitutional right of freedom of association," she said.*

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