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Jewish bride denied Galena wedding ceremony

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Illinois

* From the Illinois ACLU…

A young couple’s dream day turned into a nightmare after the owner of an Inn offering wedding services would not allow them to hold the non-religious wedding ceremony the couple desired. Jonathan Webber and Alexandra Katzman paid a deposit to Bernadine’s Stillman Inn in Galena in February of 2015 to secure the wedding date their chosen wedding date – May 14, 2016. Only when they visited the Inn on November 1, 2015 did the Inn’s owner, Dave Anderson, tell them that he would only permit a Christian wedding service in the facility. When Mr. Webber and Ms. Katzman noted that Ms. Katzman was Jewish and that her family members would be uncomfortable with such a service, Mr. Anderson said that the wedding was “not a good fit” for the Inn.

The charge filed last month with the Illinois Department of Human Rights alleges that the Inn, a public accommodation, denied the couple service on the basis of their religion. The couple is represented in the matter by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois.

“The entire experience was maddening and humiliating,” said Ms. Katzman, who was married to Mr. Webber earlier this month at another location. “After months of thinking that we’d found the perfect location for our wedding, we learned that the only way we could move forward was to have a service that might well offend my Jewish guests and my religious heritage.”

“I was stunned when this happened,” added Mr. Webber. “The Inn had cashed our deposit check and had the form with our wedding needs – including a non-religious ceremony – for months. It was shocking to be turned away.”

Ms. Katzman and Mr. Webber determined that Bernadine’s Stillman Inn was the perfect location for their wedding because they stayed there the weekend they became engaged. In February 2015, after learning that their desired date was available, the couple sent the Inn a form outlining their wishes for the big day, including that they wanted a “non-religious” wedding ceremony. The Inn’s website provided instructions for securing the services a local judge for performing a wedding service, so they assumed that everything would be fine.

The couple’s hopes were dashed when they returned to Galena on November 1, 2015 to finalize details for their wedding. For the first time, Mr. Anderson told them that he could only perform a Christian wedding. Ms. Katzman explained that her family was Jewish, and thinking that Mr. Anderson misunderstood their plans, she volunteered that a friend’s mother was a judge and would be happy to perform the ceremony. Mr. Anderson said that he was not comfortable with anyone else performing a ceremony in his chapel.

Still hoping to salvage their plans, Mr. Webber and Ms. Katzman (after excusing themselves to speak privately) asked Mr. Anderson if they could hear what he would say, hoping that some compromise might be possible. Mr. Anderson complied, reading a long script that specifically and repeatedly referenced Jesus Christ. When Ms. Katzman again noted that her family was Jewish, Mr. Anderson replied that the couple was “not a good fit” for him, and refunded their deposit.

“This type of discrimination is exactly what the Illinois law was designed to prevent,” said Rebecca Glenberg, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Illinois. “As a public business, open to all, the Inn cannot impose religious requirements on my clients or others, especially not at their own wedding.”

“Through the intervention of some good friends, we were able to keep our date and had a lovely wedding,” said Ms. Katzman. “But we don’t want anyone to go through this humiliation in the future – that is why we filed this complaint.”

* WGN TV covered this story last night…

The owner of the Stillmam Inn says he is shocked by the charge but blames his decision on a rule by the City of Galena. WGN contacted Galena officials and they gave us this statement, “As far as the city, we regulate land use. We don’t get involved with religious matters.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:11 am

Comments

Knowing only what is written in the post, it seems as though the owner of the hotel had advanced notice of a non-religious wedding, provided information on how to secure an official to perform the wedding and then reneged.

Again, knowing only what is written in the post, it appears that the owner of the inn is attempting to impose his religion on somebody else.

Mr. Anderson, prepare to take your lumps because it is going to hurt.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:24 am
Your choices have consequences.

Mr. Anderson made a choice.

Mr. Anderson faces what his choices bring.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:26 am
Truly inexplicable behavior on the part of the innkeeper.

Strange that WGN described Galena as a Chicago suburb in the headline.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:28 am
===Strange that WGN described Galena as a Chicago suburb===

It kinda is.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:29 am
Is public accommodation defined in state law? Is it a federal precedent? I just wonder if places like this know the rules of the road.

How can the guy possibly blame the City? I don’t understand that comment at all.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:29 am
I trust the Illinois Family Institute will seek to intervene in this state-sanctioned assault on Mr. Anderson’s “religious liberty” to deny public accommodations to Jews.

It has precedent in The New Testament. The innkeepers of Bethlehem denied accommodations to the Jews Joseph and Mary.

–The owner of the Stillmam Inn says he is shocked by the charge but blames his decision on a rule by the City of Galena. WGN contacted Galena officials and they gave us this statement, “As far as the city, we regulate land use. We don’t get involved with religious matters.”–

That’s confusing. WGN needed to explain what the alleged issue is.

In addition, the ACLU release could have used an editor’s pen. It’s needlessly rambling, redundant and confusing.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:34 am
==Mr. Anderson told them that he could only perform a Christian wedding.==

Is he a judge AND an innkeeper…or did the ALCU mean to say “they could only…”? In addition to his values, it appears Mr. Anderson forgot JC’s ethnicity.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:43 am
The storytelling here, while not at all short on words, is kind of confusing. I can’t figure out why the city was involved at all. And this story doesn’t help. If she was denied because of her Jewish faith or heritage, shame on them. There is no excuse for that.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:51 am
===Strange that WGN described Galena as a Chicago suburb===

Considering it’s 150 miles away and lies close to the Mississippi, yeah, it’s not in any way a suburb. Maybe they were thinking it was Geneva instead of Galena. Then again, most Chicagoans think everything outside Cook county is a suburb of the city…

Comment by Roadbuilder Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:53 am
I assume that was sarcasm mr. Miller ? Bloomington is just as close to Chicago as galena.

Comment by DGD Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:56 am
I trust the Illinois Family Institute will seek to intervene in this state-sanctioned assault on Mr. Anderson’s “religious liberty” to deny public accommodations to Jews.

It has precedent in The New Testament. The innkeepers of Bethlehem denied accommodations to the Jews Joseph and Mary.

****
Thank you Word!

Was watching All in the Family recently and they (Archie, Edith, Gloria, Mike, and Lionel too…not sure why he was in the scene).

Mike says to Archie he did some research on his family history and that Archies grandparents were named David and Sarah. So Mike says he’s Jewish.

Archie says those are 2 names from the Bible, it has nothing to do with being Jewish.

That show would never make it to TV today.

Have a good day all,
Brian

Comment by Brian Johnson Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:59 am
Looks like the wedding business is flourishing back in the hills and hollows of Jo Daviess county if one is happy to turn away weddings.

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:09 am
===Bloomington is just as close to Chicago as galena.===

Actually Bloomington is 30-45 minutes further depending on where you live in the city. Insanely, there are people who commute to Chicago for work daily from Galena. It’s nuts, but they do it. About a 90 minute ride.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:15 am
Perhaps the owner had sought designation as a religious institution either for zoning or tax purposes? That’s the only thing I can figure about the reference to Galena.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:24 am
A post for those who think Illinois is better than to have bigots like those in Kentucky, or North Carolina, or…Indiana…

Comment by IRLJ Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:28 am
===About a 90 minute ride.===

Huh? Are you confusing Galena with Geneva?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:36 am
@ A guy -

Bloomington is closer to Chicago than Galena: 135 miles vs. 160 miles.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:42 am
Lots of Chicago folks have homes there. They ski, play golf, and spend their money in downtown Galena. On weekends it is a suburb.

Comment by Marcus Agrippa Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:49 am
“they stayed there the weekend they became engaged.”

Unless they registered as husband and wife, it seems Mr. Anderson had no problem with an unmarried couple staying at his inn, but wouldn’t allow them to be married there.

Huh?

Just an opinion from the Chicago suburb of Streator, 40 miles closer than Galena.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:53 am
As being Jewish this offends me greatly myself.
Now honest question, where is the line enforceable by state law where this would count as discrimination?

Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:54 am
===where is the line enforceable by state law ===

You’ve never heard of public accommodation laws? Seriously? Google it.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:55 am
–About a 90 minute ride.–

No. Unless they’re commuting by jet pack.

Dude, it’s 180 miles away. Normal weekday traffic on 20 and 90?

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:58 am
And I don’t think 20 is even four lanes all the way to Galena. Even if you’re commuting from Galena to an actual suburb like Elgin, it likely can’t be done in 90 minutes. (Though possible, without traffic, and speeding).

Comment by Juice Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:07 am
Ban all non-essential travel to Galena by state agencies.

Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:15 am
=== Mr. Anderson complied, reading a long script that specifically and repeatedly referenced Jesus Christ. ===

Sounds like the guy is a publicity hound hoping that he will get a nice mention on Bill O’Reilly and wingnuts will flock to his inn in support of their persecuted brother.

I hope they shut him down to make sure that does not happen.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:18 am
Bed and Breakfasts will become the new Hobby Lobby.

Comment by Dr X Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:23 am
This is terrible. Kudos to the ACLU.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:28 am
well Mr Anderson, how does it ‘fit’ now? Hurts, don’t it.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:31 am
===Dude, it’s 180 miles away. Normal weekday traffic on 20 and 90? ===

20 is a lot closer to me, and very honestly, I’ve never gone up there anytime other than the weekend, so traffic isn’t a problem. You do need to be extra aware of motorcycles.

I think the point Rich was making is that Galena is sort of an exurb of Chicago. A lot of people go there regularly and that economy relies on it, similar to Lake Geneva. Don’t know of much vacation or leisure property in Bloomington. But, it’s a lovely place none the less.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:34 am
I saw the B&B owner interviewed last night on WGN.
He had nothing against Jews or any other religion.
The owner objected to civil weddings. The B&B has some kind of tie to the first chapel in the area. The owner said he thought civil weddings at his location were against the towns regulations. The elderly owner was very open and was not angry. He has no money. I feel this is a “gotcha” story pushing an old man who was not aware of the law.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:40 am
So does the GOP favor religious freedom or religious discrimination? Based upon their support of Trump’s proposal to ban people from one of the three great monotheisms, I suspect it’s the latter.

Comment by anon Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:44 am
I watched the story last night. Blaming it on the City was Anderson’s unartful dodge to get away from the reporter. He pulled the old, “Let me check on that and get back to you” move.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:44 am
I would have just gone somewhere else. Don’t make a Federal case out of it!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:49 am
More professional victims.

Comment by Saluki Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:01 am
Something tells me there’s a few paragraphs and/or pages missing from this story. It’s too weird and absurd on many levels.

Comment by Biography Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:13 am
@- Anonymous - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 10:49 am:

I would have just gone somewhere else. Don’t make a Federal case out of it!

Yeah, we should just ignore bigotry and hatred. That’s a good way to change it!

If we had just ignored segregation in the 50’s, I’m sure if would have just gone away on its own. /s

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:17 am
I’m waiting for the lawsuit against a Muslim Baker when asked to make a Bacon covered cake….

Comment by Doug Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:23 am
Saluki, sad to see your comment. These are not professional victims, they are simply a couple that wanted to get married and the innkeeper said “hey, no Jews and we gotta deal.”

This kind of crap cannot happen. The Illinois Human Rights Act is strong on this. And this isn’t new. That’s likely why we don’t see articles like this more often.

Comment by Mongo Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 11:38 am
The Religious Right insists proprietors can discriminate when it comes to same-sex weddings. What do they say about the proprietor’s right to discriminate in this case?

Comment by anon Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:08 pm
Good to see, yet again, that Rich has so many well informed commenters who never jump to conclusions.

Comment by Liberty Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:11 pm
== I’m waiting for the lawsuit against a Muslim Baker when asked to make a Bacon covered cake…. ==

Won’t be one unless you try to make the baker eat a piece…

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 12:19 pm
it seems christianity is being invoked to commit discrimination; oddly using the name of somone who neither shunned or mistreated sinners.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:03 pm
Doug, Muslim bakers don’t make bacon cakes. You can’t force a business to create a product for you that they don’t otherwise produce. But they can’t refuse to sell you what they do produce based on your race, creed, color, or sexuality.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 1:34 pm
Thanks, Soccermom, for responding too one of the more ignorant of bigots’ arguments. It just about makes my eyes roll right of my head when the foolish “Muslim/pork products” argument comes up.

It comes down to this: Don’t want some people me to do XYZ at your place of business? Don’t allow anyone to do it. Don’t want to bake a wedding cake for certain people? Don’t sell wedding cakes. It’s very easy to avoid violating the law I this matter.

Comment by RIJ Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 2:15 pm
Outrageous story for 21st Century Illinois. How does this still happen? On another note, loved the quote about “offending my “religious heritage.” How do you make a statement like that and then marry someone outside of your religion?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 2:38 pm
@ Anonymous - Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 2:38 pm

“How do you make a statement like that and then marry someone outside of your religion.”

Being with someone of a different faith definitely does not erase your religious heritage.

I agree though that it’s “outrageous” that this still happens.

Comment by Chicago_Downstater Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Uh Jesus was a Jew, the disciples were Jews they carried the Gospel to the Jews first so..

Comment by Empty Suit Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 5:13 pm
Guy, I don’t know what you’re spinning about. Your assertion that a daily work commute from Galena to Chicago is a “90-minute ride” is just simply loopy. Not spinnable.

It’s a 180-mile drive. To do that in 90 minutes would require a constant speed of 120-mph, no traffic delays, no stopping.

Galena, 180 miles away. Lake Geneva, 80 miles away. Both of them have “80s” in their distances from Chicago, but one of them is actually much longer.

Based on your previous arithmetic, I’d guess you have a 50/50 chance of choosing which one.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 7:26 pm
==Strange that WGN described Galena as a Chicago suburb in the headline.==

I used to live in Geneva. The Post Office delivered many Galena letters to our home.

Comment by OldIllini Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 8:21 pm
I get it….the same situation happened toy husband and I at the Stillman. Not a religious issue, a lifestyle issue. We’re bikers….he agreed….then a few months later did much the same thing…..Glad they finally got caught!!!

Comment by Kimrico Wednesday, May 25, 16 @ 9:09 pm
I saw this story on the news and did my own digging and found on there trip advisor they clearly tell the woman they can’t perform agnostic weddings there was nothing of religious discrimination there at all. The woman claiming this clearly said I am of Jewish heritage and agnostic (which means no faith) and her husband’s a Christian. The inn replied saying they were not against mixed faith couples, we can legally only do religious ceremonies, both couples have to some kinda of faith for us to do the ceremony. This is a woman pulling the poor me card and hurting a poor business just trying to follow the law they were told in there town. I hope this couple the best and will pray for them.

Comment by ProudAmerican765 Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 2:42 am
PA765 Federal law prohibiting discrimination in public accommodations on the basis of religion also means you can’t discriminate against agnostics and atheists. Please check your understanding of the law, the US constitution, and what really makes America great.

Comment by X-prof Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Can we please wait for the truth to come out prior to passing judgement? I’m sure there is a lot we have not
Heard from both sides.

Comment by Proud American Thursday, May 26, 16 @ 9:40 pm