Civil Rights Suit Filed in Ocean Grove Case

June 20, 2007

TRENTON—The New Jersey Division of Civil Rights announced today that it filed suit against the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association for its failure to allow a lesbian couple to rent the Boardwalk Pavilion for a civil union ceremony.

As previously reported, the complainants, Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster applied in March 2007 to use the Boardwalk Pavilion for their September civil union ceremony. Along with their application, the couple paid a $75 deposit. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association returned their fee and application, telling the couple that it would not rent the facility for their use.

The Association's President, Scott Rasmussen, later told the couple that, although the association allows the Boardwalk Pavilion to be used for both religious and secular activities, it would not permit its facilities to be used for civil union ceremonies.

The Division on Civil Rights brought the complaint under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJ LAD), which prohibits discrimination in the use of public accommodations on the basis of civil union status. The Division is seeking compensatory damages for economic loss, humiliation, mental pain and suffering, and equitable relief permitting the couple to use the facility for the civil union ceremony.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

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