In New Jersey, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OCGMA) filed suit last Saturday in federal court to prevent the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights from ordering it to open its Boardwalk Pavilion for use by a lesbian couple wishing to enter a civil union. The Pavilion, which is used for religious services and other activities, is also available for wedding ceremonies. OCGMA is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, whose doctrines specifically prohibit civil unions. Announcing the litigation, a release by the Alliance Defense Fund explains the state is investigating a complaint that contends the facility should be classified as a "public accommodation" subject to the state's anti-discrimination law. The lawsuit in Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the United Methodist Church v. Vespa-Papaleo (full text of complaint) seeks a declaratory judgment and an injunction to insure that the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination is not applied in a way that prevents OCGMA from using its buildings only for purposes consistent with its religious beliefs. the complaint asserts that OCGMA's First Amendment rights have been violated by subjecting it to an investigation and threat of prosecution.
UPDATE: Today's New York Times reports on the lawsuit, saying that the Boardwalk Pavilion is viewed by many as a public facility because it is regularly used for rest or shade by members of the public. The Times also reports that OCGMA has stopped using the Pavilion for weddings in order to avoid the kinds conflicts that are presented in this lawsuit.
