Koire v. Metro Car Wash

Opinion

BIRD, C. J.

Does the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civ. Code, § 51) 1 prohibit sex-based price discounts?

I

In the spring of 1979, plaintiff sought to have his car washed at several car washes located in Orange County. He visited the car washes on “Ladies’ Day” and asked to be charged the same discount prices as were offered to females. 2 These businesses refused his request. 3

Plaintiff also visited several bars which offered admission discounts to women, including a nightclub, Jezebel’s. At trial, plaintiff testified that he heard a radio advertisement for Jezebel’s. The ad publicized an event…