Many people belong to a country club. I have been a guest at several clubs around the United States and have seen some interesting behaviors. In one most recently, the ladies played cards in the ladies restroom and I according to my husband, the men did the same.
The Phoenix Country Club has been around for over 100 years. Built in downtown Phoenix, it has lush greens and fairways. Membership requires a hefty wallet to purchase. There is a big hullabaloo about its restaurants. So what's up at "THE CLUB"?
There are 3 restaurants, one for the entire membership, one for the females and one for males. It seems that the males have business discussions in the male restaurant. The females have their private business conversations in the female restaurant.
The country club rents out its facilities to groups at again a hefty price. Some of the most notable Arizona families have weddings and social functions at "THE CLUB". Corporations also utilize the facilities for corporate events. There are golf tournaments and benefits to charitable events held at "THE CLUB".
Most recently, the Arizona Attorney General's office has said that the Phoenix Country Club does not qualify as being classed as a private club. The key to making the decision was the amount of public rentals of the facilities. As such, Arizona's Attorney General Terry Goddard has recently filed a sexual discrimination lawsuit for restaurant segregation.
This is a very hot topic aound Arizona water coolers, and believe me there are many water coolers in Arizona.
Is this discrimination or is this just a choice that private member should have? Do you feel that the separated restaurants should be abolished? What about the card games in the separate restrooms?
I am not sure what the legal standards are, but for my 2-cents, I think that segregated restaurants where business discussion take place is a form of discrimination. I see no difference between the scenario you describe in the post and the idea of racially segregated resaturants.
Steve, I agree, it sounds bad and smells bad. Check out the comments on the Arizona Republic website.
Did someone in The Club complain or is this something the Attorney General put his nose in? If its not broke, why fix it? No one is being left out because there are three restaurants.
Angelia, Evidently a member questioned the practice, later got harrassed by other members and then took it to the next level.
Leolinda, I think this is one more example of things going a bit too far! Maybe they should just stop making the facilities available to the public and let folks get married somewhere else? This stuff is just too goofy!
Patricia, a great number of responses on the Arizona Republic website agree with you. Most people think that "The Club" should restrict the public rentals and that the lawsuit is a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars.
The outcome of this lawsuit may certainly effect other private clubs around the country.
Give me a break!! Can't we even eat the way we want anymore without someone screaming discrimination??!! If folks are paying their hard-earned money to be a part of a prestigious club, then they should get what they pay for - and everyone else (who can't afford it, or just don't want to be a part) should stay out of it. I, personally, am sick of the politically correct bull.
I'm a little confused ... specifically about one thing....
...if there is a separate restaurant or club for men, and a separate one for women, where do the people who rent out the facilities for their weddings, or whatever, hold their reception?
Do they get to choose if it's in the all male or all female section?
Would that not be breaking the rules anyway? I'm sure the guests don't get split up, do they?
That part of it doesn't make sense to me, and maybe I'm missing something. I understand there is another section, but does it ever 'overflow' into the men only or women only section?
If this place is rented out to groups/people who are not members, then I would agree that it's not a private club. (you are either private all the time, or you're not private)
If it is ONLY for use by members, always, then the members should do as they very well please - after all, they are paying for it ... dearly.
I thought the "seperate but equal" thing went out years ago. Why would anyone want to be a member in the first place. Are there not other options?