The American Automobile Association of the South has apparently softened its stance, but activists claim the auto club affiliate still unfairly excludes gay families.
AAA offers roadside assistance, insurance and travel planning for millions of members. AAA South includes Florida, Georgia and parts of Tennessee. Membership costs $60 a year, but spouses can be added at a discounted rate of $30.
In the past, AAA South has excluded same-sex couples from this plan.
“We use Florida law on spouse which describes a husband and wife, and it’s a man and a woman,” said John Imming, member service vice president for AAA South.
But he recently encouraged same-sex couples to seek the spousal discount. He told the South Florida Blade that if a gay couple presents as married, they will be treated as a married couple. But he cautioned against using terms like “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” or “partner.”
“If they feel that they’re married, then they’re married,” Imming said. “We are an auto club, not the government. We’re not going to check.”
