An Atlanta country club was fined $90,000 for refusing to extend spousal benefits to the partner of a lesbian member. The Druid Hills Country Club will have to start paying the fine in the amount of $500 per day for six months unless it changes its policy. The mayor's decision is in accordance with an ordinance that allows the city to pull business licenses, liquor licenses or administer fines against businesses that have discriminatory practices.

Lee Kyser, one of the club's two gay members, said the decision comes as a 'pleasant surprise' to her. 'What (the fine) has done is say you can't discriminate for free and it's going to at least cost you. I think that's very important,' Kyser said. 'I think that Mayor Franklin has now got the city of Atlanta in a leading position on civil rights.'

Club members have indicated they intend to challenge the fine and claim that the ordinance is unenforceable. It is not clear whether or not the mayor's decision will stand up to court scrutiny.

In the interim, Kyser has said she intends to remain a member of the club but is determined to stick up for her rights. 'The club is kind to me,' she said. 'They're stuck with us - they might as well come to grips with us - we're not going away and we're not going to rest until this is done.'