Hart

Plaintiff, a member of the Church of Scientology, appeals from an order denying a preliminary injunction against defendants to “cease refusing membership in the Cult Awareness Network, and the Cult Awareness Network, Los Angeles Chapter [CAN-LA], to plaintiff and members of the Scientology religion or minority religious organizations,” on the ground that such exclusion violated the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civil Code section 51. The issue before us is whether the trial court properly determined that it is not reasonably probable that plaintiff will succeed in demonstrating that CAN-LA is a business establishment within the meaning of Civil Code section 51.

Factual and Procedural Background

The following facts are gleaned from evidence found to be admissible by the trial court, the evidentiary rulings of which are not challenged on appeal.

CAN-National is a nonprofit corporation; its purpose is to educate the public about the harmful effects of mind control as practiced by destructive cults and about the unethical or illegal practices they employ. CAN-National collects information and conducts research on numerous cults, which information is available for a fee covering…