JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Jackson 21’s HOA has hired a lawfirm to defend a civil rights complaint made by residents who said a recent decision to gender segregate the community swimming pool was a violation of their civil rights.
The homeowners association for The Club at Jackson Twenty-One has formally denied allegations that its gender-segregated pool schedule violates New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, arguing the policy was designed to accommodate residents’ religious practices while maintaining substantial access for all homeowners.
The response was filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights in connection with a complaint brought by homeowners Anthony Lo Grasso and Jennifer Lo Grasso, who allege the association unlawfully discriminated by implementing separate swimming hours for men and women at the community pool.
According to the association’s filing, “Respondent has committed no violation of the Law Against Discrimination. There is no basis to conclude that Complainants were discriminated against based on sex or familial status.”
HOA cites religious accommodation
The response states that The Club at Jackson Twenty-One is a planned community that will eventually include 465 homes, with 328 homes completed at the time of the filing.
The association says “a large number of the residents in the Community are religiously observant Jews,” and that many follow religious modesty practices prohibiting men and women from swimming together in bathing attire.
According to the filing, residents requested separate swimming hours during the summer of 2024 and winter of 2024-25. In response, the board adopted a schedule for the 2025 pool season that included women-only, men-only, and open swim periods.
Majority of pool hours remained open to everyone
The association argues the schedule did not eliminate co-ed swimming.
According to its filing, the initial schedule provided:
- Women-only swimming: 15 hours per week
- Men-only swimming: 15 hours per week
- Open swimming: 33 hours per week
The filing states that open swim operated from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, with all-day open swimming on Saturdays.
The association also noted that only two incidents occurred in which residents allegedly refused to leave the pool during swim times designated for the opposite sex.
Residents filed discrimination complaint
According to the HOA’s filing, the board first received a letter objecting to the swim schedule near the end of the 2025 pool season.
The response states the association received an anonymous letter on Aug. 22, 2025, signed by “The Well Integrated Members of Club at Jackson 21,” alleging an earlier Aug. 11 letter had been sent. The association says it never received the earlier correspondence.
The letter warned that unless the schedule was changed, a complaint would be filed with the Division on Civil Rights.
The board responded by informing homeowners it was evaluating the schedule and would consider changes after the season concluded.
Civil rights case continues
The dispute has since become the subject of an administrative proceeding before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
The complainants argue the scheduling policy unlawfully restricts equal access to a shared community amenity based on sex. The homeowners association denies those allegations and contends the policy represents a lawful accommodation of residents’ religious practices while preserving significant access for all homeowners.
The Division on Civil Rights has not publicly announced a final determination in the matter.
Key Points
- Jackson 21 HOA denies violating New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination.
- The association says separate swim hours were created to accommodate religious modesty practices.
- HOA documents state the schedule included 33 weekly hours of open swimming and 15 hours each for men-only and women-only swimming.
- The dispute remains pending before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
FAQ
Who filed the complaint?
Anthony Lo Grasso and Jennifer Lo Grasso.
What is the dispute about?
Separate men-only and women-only swimming hours at The Club at Jackson Twenty-One community pool.
Why does the HOA say it adopted the policy?
The association says it was responding to requests from religiously observant residents seeking separate swim times consistent with their religious beliefs.
Has the state ruled on the complaint?
No. The matter remains pending before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
Source: Respondent’s Position Statement filed with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights; New Jersey Division on Civil Rights administrative records.
