The Independence Law Center, along with the Alliance Defense Fund, lent assistance to a religious organization being prosecuted by the State of New Jersey because it refused to allow its boardwalk pavilion to be used for a lesbian “wedding” ceremony. While the organization has allowed the pavilion to be used for weddings in the past, it did not feel right opening up the pavilion for a use that conflicts with its religious beliefs. After it refused to do so, a complaint was filed with the state Attorney General’s office against the ministry.
The United States Supreme Court has been clear in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640 (2000), that private groups have the right to associate with whom they wish. The Boy Scouts need not allow homosexual scout leaders. In the same way, a private organization, particularly a religious organization, need not open up its facilities for a ceremony that is contrary to their mission and beliefs.