New Jersey bridal shop denies service to lesbian woman, dubs gay marriage “illegal”

Alix Genter of New Jersey is getting married next summer in New York City; and last weekend, she and her family went to a local Somers’ Point bridal shop called “Here Comes The Bride” to select a dress for the long-awaited occasion. However, upon reading Genter’s customer information form and seeing that the word “groom” had been crossed out in favor of the term “partner,” the shop’s owner contacted Genter and informed her that “Here Comes The Bride” would not be involved in what she described as an “illegal” and “wrong” same-sex union.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that, until discovering Genter’s sexual orientation, the New Jersey shop owner was perfectly accommodating. But several days after meeting Genter and her family, the owner (whose name is Donna) called and left a voicemail stating that Genter would not be receiving the dress she selected after all.

“There’s right. There’s wrong. And this is wrong,” Donna said to Genter.

Upon learning of the incident, Inquirer columnist Ronnie Polaneczky contacted the store owner for details. “When I called Donna yesterday to get her side of the story,” Polaneczky wrote in a column directed at Genter, “she both confirmed your version of events and accused you of ‘stirring up drama.’ She said that your writing the word ‘partner’ was basically a provocation, evidence of a need ‘to show that she’s different.’”

Donna also indicated in her message to Genter that same-sex marriage is “illegal,” and that her store would not be involved in any illegal activity.

In related coverage of Genter’s ordeal, Talk About Equality notes that New Jersey law requires all public and retail locations – including bridal shops – to accommodate all individuals regardless of sexual orientation.