The origin of the group can be traced to the outrage over the CMA’s denial of use of the boardwalk pavilion. From there, a group of residents began to meet informally and then formally, and also solicited advice from the Human Rights Campaign and Garden State Equality (Read more about the organizations at; www.hrc.org and www.gardenstateequality.org) Officers were selected for the group, including Joan Caputo, Joy Norton, and Dan Garrow. Also, a My Space page has been created, which you can view here. (www.myspace.com/oceangroveunited).

Over a dinner, OGU’s plans were shared and the flag waving efforts of Ocean Pathway residents Ron Rudolph and Rob Neiffer were launched. The two purchased upwards of sixty Rainbow and Human Rights Campaign flags and distributed them free to anyone who wanted to wave the banner in support of the right of OG’s gay and lesbian residents to hold civil union ceremonies in the pavilion, which has traditionally also been used for opposite sex marriages.

“The purpose of the flags is to be a ‘show of force’ so that the large gay OG community can actually be recognized,” the two wrote to the Record.

One look around town, from Main Avenue to the Pathway to any number of side streets tells you that the flags were quickly snatched up and raised in support of the cause.

The flags also reflect support for Ocean Grove United’s Mission, contained in the following statement: Ocean Grove United is a group of Ocean Grove residents and business owners committed to guaranteeing the civil rights of all members of the community and to promoting the participation of all toward the enhancement of Ocean Grove as a diverse and harmonious community."

At last Saturday morning’s Home Owners Association meeting, Ocean Grove United chair Joan Caputo proposed that the group pass a motion supporting the “use of public space” in Ocean Grove for Civil Unions, take out advertising in local newspapers declaring their opposition to the ban, and initiate a letter writing campaign among homeowners to CMA trustees stating the HOA’s support of Civil Unions. (The triCityNews reported this week that the CMA board has not in fact ever even voted on a ban; the unofficial ban on ceremonies came to light with a letter of denial to a couple seeking the pavilion’s use for a civil union ceremony.)

The measure condemning the ban easily passed in a vote at the Home Owners’ meeting, but the other two got swallowed up in a vigorous debate over the appropriateness of the Association purchasing ads and launching campaign and were ultimately declared “out of order” by HOA president Fran Palladino. The sometimes raucous arguments weren’t about the ban per se, but rather over whether or not purchasing ads and launching a letter writing campaign were part of the group’s core mission. No conclusions were reached and the meeting was adjourned.

Still, it was clear that the overwhelming sentiment was that the ban should be lifted, that it’s bad for Ocean Grove and treats the community’s large gays and lesbian community as second class citizens. This is precisely the point that Ocean Grove United is intent on delivering to the Camp Meeting Association.

Ocean Grove United is sponsoring a Pot Luck on Wednesday, August 15, at the Manchester Inn, open to all Ocean Grove residents to discuss the current civil union controversy. We’ll bring you further information as it is received.

In the meantime, Ocean Grove United has been invited to participate in a gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County this coming Sunday, August 5th at 10 a.m.

Rev. Gil Caldwell, who will be leading the service, is a retired minister in the United Methodist Church and since meeting Martin Luther King in 1958 at the Boston University School of Theology and taking part in three of King's marches, he has devoted his life to championing "equality.” Caldwell is also a strong advocate of gay rights. His topic will be “When/Where/How Art Meets Justice”.

Joan Caputo, chair of Ocean Grove United will speak briefly on the Civil Union controversy in Ocean Grove. The service will be enriched by musical offerings, and is, in the words of Rev. Caldwell, a “kind of "Jam Session" that includes music, visual art, readings and social commentary.”

UUCMC is a welcoming congregation with a long history of support for the gay community and civil unions. All are invited to attend this unique gathering at UUCMC, 1475 West Front Street, Lincroft, NJ at 10AM on Sunday, August 5, 2007.

-Posted 8/2/07