GAY GROUPS URGE ACTION AGAINST ATLANTA GOLF CLUB: From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

National and state gay rights advocates say they think Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is dragging her feet on punishing an Atlanta golf club for discrimination.

After months of silence, the groups are publicly pressing Franklin about Druid Hills Golf Club, which a city commission found in violation of Atlanta's anti-discrimination ordinance on Jan. 12. The club was cited for not providing spousal benefits to partners of gay club members. ...

Gay rights groups such as the Human Rights Campaign, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation have sent letters urging the mayor to act. Georgia Equality, the state's largest gay rights organization, also has sent a letter. ...

Under the city ordinance, which has not been tested in court since its passage in 2000, the mayor can revoke business and liquor licenses if "public accommodations" are found to be violating the ordinance. ...

The dispute between the club board and the two members went public when the Atlanta Human Relations Commission found the club in violation.The club argued that it accepts gay members, but extends spousal benefits only to married couples legally recognized by the state. Benefits include allowing spouses to visit the club without the member and to bring guests of their own.

Georgia law forbids gay marriage, but Atlanta allows gays to register with the city as domestic partners.

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