NEW JERSEY: Lesbian Couple Finally Wins Famed Ocean Grove Pavilion Case

Five years into a case that has been one of the most frequently cited examples of "homofascism," a New Jersey state agency has ruled that operators of the Ocean Grove Pavilion did indeed break the law when they refused to let a lesbian couple rent the venue for their civil union ceremony.

The organization violated the state Law Against Discrimination in not allowing Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster to hold their ceremony at the pavilion, wrote Craig Sashihara, director of the state Division on Civil Rights, in a 16-page decision. “Such action clearly violates the settled laws of this state,” Sashihara wrote. Dale Whilden, the association’s president, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Bernstein said she feels very happy with the decision, which the association can appeal within 45 days. “The laws of New Jersey prevailed,” Bernstein said. “We’re delighted.” Sashihara upheld a decision reached in January by a judge with the state Office of Administrative Law. Because Bernstein and Paster did not seek financial restitution for what occurred, Sashihara wrote that the only penalty the association received is his finding that it violated the state law against discrimination.

Anti-gay groups have included the Ocean Grove case in their materials for years, but always fail to mention that the venue had sought and received a special property tax abatement which came with the stipulation that the property was to be available for use by all of the public. (Tipped by JMG reader Mick.)

Lesbian Couple Wins NJ Discrimination Suit

Last year a lesbian couple sued after a church group in Ocean Grove, New Jersey refused to let them hold their wedding at a beach pavilion that they had regularly been renting to the public. The case is routinely trumpeted by the Christianist right as an example of how same-sex marriage will trample religious freedom. Today the women won their case.

The New Jersey Division on Civl Rights ruled today that gay couples will be allowed to hold civil union ceremonies at the public boardwalk pavilion in Ocean Grove, N.J., according to Garden State Equality. Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster sued the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association for refusing to allow them to hold their civil union ceremony at the pavilion.

The Division ruled that the couple has “probable cause” to claim that the ban violates New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination. The couple was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. "Though we're not home free yet, today's decision by the Corzine Administration is a significant victory for liberty and justice for all in Ocean Grove," said Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality. "The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association has only itself to blame for pursuing a lawsuit that will cost it hundreds of thousands of dollars – and potentially millions of dollars in potential tourism to Ocean Grove, known across the country as a leading LGBT-friendly destination."

Expect the wingnut blogs to light up all over again on this.