A battle with which the Suncoast Stonewall Democrats had a personal connection had a positive outcome for the group last month. The political organization began a campaign in April against AAA South when the corporation refused to recognize same-sex spouses for its Associate Membership Program.
After teaming with Equality Florida, the group learned on July 22 that AAA South’s president, Tom O’Brian, was going to change the policy to include same-sex spouses.
“We had not talked about this issue very much at all until you reached out to us,” O’Brian told the group. “And that caused us to talk about it quite a bit.”
Bryan Worthington, President of the Suncoast Stonewall Democrats, was pleased with the announcement.
“We’re grateful that you have made this momentous move in the spirit of fairness and equality and are proud to renew our membership to AAA South—which now includes both of us,” Worthington said of he and his spouse.
The AAA policy now allows gay married couples to receive spousal discounts under AAA’s Associate Membership program, as long as proof of marriage in any state is made available.
