Society Club wants you to know that it has a membership discount for straight families only. Now, there’s nothing “wrong” about this–the club can decide whatever discounts etc it wants to offer and to who.
It’s certainly not the first time that we’ve been told that family=straight couple. However, there is usually a little back in forth with a business before we get to the “Oh, I’m sorry, but our discount is for heterosexuals couples only–but we will still take your money!”*
Not so with Society Club! M and my Mom went inside the club to check it out. M asked if they had a family plan. The attendant confirmed that they did and in the same breath mentioned it was for husband and wife only. Which means 1) he saw my Mom’s short hair and assumed she was gay-she isn’t and 2) he assumed they were a couple. Danger lesbians!
Right away–he had to make sure they knew that Society Club did not consider same-sex couples “real” families. The 2 women could have just been friends scouting out health clubs to join with their husbands, but I’m sure it was more important to neutralize any potential lesbian threat. Whew–crisis avoided.
I just have one suggestion for Society Club–why not update your website and make it clear that the”family friendly environment” is for “husband / wife” families only?
*People always sound so regretful when they can’t recognize our civil union–but the voice always picks up/sounds optimistic again when they offer to take our money anyway.
Tawanna Sullivan 