Eastbayri.com

BARRINGTON — Barrington’s highest-ranking elected Democrat, Town Council President June Speakman, is not entirely sure why she was denied membership to the Barrington Democratic Club.

In Nov. 2011, just before the council was to weigh in on renewing the club’s liquor license, Ms. Speakman and fellow councilor Cindy Coyne decided to find out if rumors of gender-based discrimination by the club were fact or fiction. The two town officials and another female resident applied to the club, submitting their completed applications and the $60 checks that are required. Ms. Speakman’s father also applied for membership to the club.

“A liquor license is a privilege that you earn,” said Ms. Speakman. “There are standards, and one of them, in my view, is a non-discrimination policy. In my view, this is a privilege... We weren’t holding their license hostage. We just checked on (whether the club was discriminating) by applying.”

A short while after applying, Ms. Speakman received a phone call from Ms. Coyne.

“She told me she had been admitted,” said Ms. Speakman, who then called the club and learned that her membership application to the club had been denied. Ms. Speakman’s father and the other unnamed woman who had applied were both accepted by the club.

“I wasn’t upset. I was surprised,” said Ms. Speakman. “I’m not sure what their criteria is for membership. I was told that the only reason they reject someone is a sordid past or a criminal record. I think (for me) it was probably some other reason.”

Ms. Speakman later learned that no club member had spoken on her behalf during the meeting where the vote was taken. She said there were 21 members present and that five voted to admit her as a member. She said someone did speak for Ms. Coyne during the meeting.

When asked what she thought could have been the reason for her denial, Ms. Speakman said “My guess is that there is some unhappiness (among club members) that the issue was raised in public.”

At the council meeting on Feb. 6, the issue surfaced again.

The council had asked a representative from the Barrington Democratic Club and Rhode Island Country Club — both clubs sought liquor license renewals — to attend the meeting.

Council member Kate Weymouth asked the RICC representative whether his club admits women who are not part of a couple.

“Yes,” said the representative.

Council member Bill DeWitt then asked if the club systematically discriminates against any group or ethnicity.

“No,” said the representative.

The council then spoke with John Neary, an attorney for the Barrington Democratic Club who was also a member. Ms. Speakman told Mr. Neary about her denied membership application.

He said anyone interested can apply to the club, and added that prior to November, only one women had ever applied to be a member. She was denied.

“Not all guys are admitted either,” he said. “The general membership votes up or down.”

Ms. Weymouth said she was aware that the club held no affiliation to the Town Democratic Committee or the Democratic party in general. She then asked Mr. Neary if he knew why Ms. Speakman was not admitted to the club.

“I’m not sure what actions gave rise to the concern,” he said.

Ms. Speakman said she had applied, paid the application fee, but was never called for an interview. “I was called and told I was rejected,” she said. “I was told that ... I had raised an issue here or I had not shown sufficient interest in joining the club. I am the highest ranking elected Democrat in town government.”

Mr. Neary said that he was aware Ms. Speakman was not interviewed and that club members decided they will now make the interview mandatory.

A council member later referenced the club’s name and suggested that a name change should be considered.

Mr. DeWitt, a Republican, said he thought the club’s name was just fine.