Moose Lodge No. 107 v. Irvis
United States Supreme Court
407 U.S. 163 (1972)
Relevant factsFree
Irvis (plaintiff), an African American man, was refused service by Moose Lodge No. 107 (defendant), a private fraternal club holding a state-issued liquor license; Irvis sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, arguing the state liquor license transformed the Lodge's discriminatory refusal into "state action" under the Equal Protection Clause. The district court agreed, found the conduct discriminatory, and granted Irvis injunctive relief; the Lodge appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a private club receiving no public benefits and not operating in a symbiotic relationship with a public entity may constitutionally discriminate against people on the basis of race.