The IRS reversed its decision to deny tax-exempt status from Kathy’s Group, a cancer support group for lesbians in Rhode Island.
The IRS had previously argued that the group was not eligible for tax-exempt status because the group is designed to serve a specialized group of women, and not all women.
Lawyer David Buckel, who represented Kathy’s Group, compared the organization to AARP — a group that serves only retired people, but still receives tax-exempt status. “There is a long tradition of granting tax-exempt status to organizations that focus on one group. Why should it be different for Kathy’s Group? There’s only one reason: Anti-gay discrimination,” said Buckel.