By Charles Layton
The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association said Friday it has not yet decided whether to appeal this week’s decision that it unlawfully discriminated against a lesbian couple in 2007.
The Camp Meeting issued a brief statement, saying only that it “has received the decision of the director of the Division on Civil Rights. The board will be scheduling a meeting to review the decision and consider its options.”
The Division on Civil Rights, a state agency, issued a ruling on Tuesday in favor of Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster, who had complained of discrimination after the Camp Meeting refused to allow them to hold their civil union ceremony at the boardwalk pavilion, which the Camp Meeting owns.
The Camp Meeting has 45 days from the date of that decision either to appeal it to the Appellate Division of Superior Court or to let the decision stand unchallenged.
The Division decided in favor of Bernstein and Paster on grounds that the pavilion was a public accommodation under the law. However, it assessed no penalties against the Camp Meeting, nor had the couple asked for any.
For background, read our previous story by clicking here.
go ahead and appeal…waste some money on a loser
I’m sure The Alliance Defense Fund, which is providing the OGCMA with legal representation for free, will push for an appeal. If the Camp Meeting truly wants to show good will towards our diverse residents, they will drop the appeal. It would be a way to start rebuilding some of the bridges it burned in this community.
Helping gay and lesbian families and their kids is the right thing to do. Honoring gay and lesbian couples who have lovingly restored Ocean Grove homes and properties is the right thing to do. Putting a past away that dishonored gay and lesbian families and their kids is the right thing to do. Not appealing a mistake of the past is the right thing to do.
Hope OG appeals it…gay marriage should not be allowed.