Golf Clubs Spark Gay Rights Row

Golf clubs are usually civilised places but one US club sparked a battle over gay rights.

Golf clubs in Britain have seen their fair share of controversy when it comes to equal rights. In a few golf clubs, women are banned and as a result EU legislation next year is being put in place to address the inequality.

 Gay controversy

But over here in America , one of the more exclusive golf clubs in Georgia has triggered a row over gay rights. The club resisted an order to allow benefits given to members' spouses to a same sex couple. Gay activists were outraged by the golf club's behaviour and the Atlanta club risked rubbing the law up the wrong way. The city has anti-discrimination laws in place as Atlanta is home to one of the largest gay communities in the American South.

But some Republican politicians felt that it was a step too far for gay rights, and that private groups had the right to engage in free expression.

Potential fine

The town's mayor threatened to charge the club a fine of $500 a day for violating city law after two of the golf club's gay members made an official complaint. Although in the golf club's defence, it stated the gay couple knew the rules when they joined, and that the benefits married couples receive do not extend to unmarried couples � homosexual or heterosexual.

Wider issues

Some believed that the golf clubs situation was used to tap into wider issues by gay activists, as its position was that it treated unmarried heterosexual and homosexual couples in the exact same way. Gay marriage is banned in Georgia .

Gay Golf Clubs

Despite the controversy, there are numerous gay golf clubs and groups across America and Canada , as well as the Gay Golf Association.

Toronto Gay Golf Clubs

In 2002, the Toronto Gay Golf Group originated for gay golfers who wanted to find other like-minded people who enjoy the game. There are also websites and community groups on-line aimed at gay golfer such as GayOutdoors.com.

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