EAST LANSING, Mich. — The rights of a Michigan fruit grower were violated when a city barred him from a seasonal market because of his opposition to same-sex weddings at his orchard, a judge said.
“Plaintiffs were forced to choose between following their religious beliefs and a government benefit for which they were otherwise qualified,” Maloney said. But Tennes wasn’t allowing same-sex weddings, citing his religious beliefs. When he expressed his views on Facebook, he said he wasn’t invited back to the East Lansing market for the 2017 season.while Tennes’ lawsuit moved forward.
East Lansing cited its non-discrimination ordinance and vendor rules in barring Tennes from the market. But the judge found problems.