NJ Bridal Store Refuses to Sell Lesbian a Wedding Dress
I gather from friends that picking out a wedding dress can be a pretty big deal. It makes sense — it is often expensive, a wear-once outfit and a symbol of what many people call the most important (happiest, etc.) day of their lives.
It certainly seemed important to lesbian bride-to-be Alix Genter, who arrived at Here Come the Bride in Somers Point, N.J. with an entourage of four family members and two family friends, not to mention muffins and champagne to keep through group going through what (according to romantic comedies) is an often long and arduous process.
But (not-so) lucky for Genter, the New Jersey shop made her decision for her. The Philadelphia Daily News reports (via Jezebel) that Genter had found a dress and went home thinking she accomplished one of her major wedding prep tasks. But she got a call a few days later from the shop manager refusing to sell it to her because she didn’t want to be involved in Genter’s “illegal action.” (This, apparently in reference to her perfectly legal plan to wed in New York.)
“She said she wouldn’t work with me because I’m gay,” [Genter] recalled. “She also said that I came from a nice Jewish family, and that it was a shame I was gay. She said, ‘There’s right, and there’s wrong. And this is wrong.’ ”
Phalidelphia Daily News columnist Ronnie Polaneczky contacted the store manager to clarify and got a lengthy and bigoted explanation:
When I called Donna yesterday to get her side of the story, 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.”
“They get that way,” she told me.
By “they,” she meant women who were fed up with men because “men can be difficult,” and so now they “experiment” with female relationships because they’re tired of having men boss them around.
She told me about a friend whose wife left him for another woman. And about a young family member who was molested by a same-sex adult male. And about a gay man who once plunged a knife into a chair in the restaurant where she worked. And – she finally lost me here – something about the Navy SEALs.
Donna is apparently going to arrange a meeting with Genter’s parents through a mutual friend to discuss the situation. With Genter’s parents. That’s sure to smooth things over.
Add to Google
Genter will own that shop if she pursues an action under the Law Against Discrimination. This is about as clear cut as it gets.
People can _believe_ what they wish. N.J. Law Against Discrimination includes discrimination by a business against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation. The Division on Civil Rights may impose penalties
of up to $10,000 for first violations. http://www.nj.gov/lps/dcr/law.html
Alix Genter Highland Park, NJ–call a lawyer!
Is Marcia Portnoy active in the shop or is she retired?
Former? Owner Marcia Portnoy (age 73) — Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
One Employee/owner? — Donna Saber Margate, NJ.
Years in business — 23
272 New Rd
Somers Point, NJ 08244
Phone: 609-926-0699
Open Mon-Tue 10am-8pm; Wed-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 10:30am-4pm