WESTERLY, R.I. – A yacht club in the Rhode Island town where Taylor Swift owns a beach house has put a controversial men-only policy to rest.
Members of the Westerly Yacht Club voted on Wednesday to admit women as full members after coming under scrutiny and losing business from groups who said they would not patronize the club until the policy was changed.
Members had voted last month to uphold the no-women policy and keep women only as associate, nonvoting members. After an outcry, the club's leadership held another vote.
Jane Barstow, whose husband is a member, says the couple is delighted and had decided to quit the club if the policy didn't change.
The American Civil Liberties Union says it is pleased the yacht club avoided the need for any legal battles.
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