DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING

OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL

Rhode Island General Laws, Section 11-24-1, (1956, as amended), provides that "All persons within the jurisdiction of this state shall be entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons." Further, any persons aggrieved by any violation of this statute has the right to petition the Rhode Island Commission on Human Rights to induce compliance. RL Gen. Laws Section 11-24-4 (1956, as amended).

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in the case of Cohen v. California, 403 U.S. 15 (1971), that persons have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs. In addition, the right of an individual to freedom of association has long been recognized and protected by the United States Supreme Court Thus, a person's right to wear the clothing of his choice, as well as his right to belong to any club or organization of his choice is constitutionally protected, and persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership may be subject to lawsuit.