NJ Methodist Organization Loses A Tax-Exemption Over Civil Union Ban
A pavilion in Ocean Grove, NJ has been deemed not properly open to all the public for refusing lesbian couples the right to hold civil union ceremonies there. Because of the restriction, the NJ environmental protection commissioner declined an application to renew tax exemptions for the pavilion.
In a letter dated Saturday that revoked the longstanding certification, Ms. Jackson, the environmental protection commissioner, wrote, “It is clear that the pavilion is not open to all persons on an equal basis.”The administrator of the Camp Meeting Association, Scott Hoffman, said in a written statement that “the Camp Meeting is reviewing the letter. However, it is worth noting that over 99 percent of the Camp Meeting’s land was recertified as tax-exempt.”