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.

East Lansing's decision to exclude Steve Tennes and Country Mill Farms in 2017 "constituted a burden on plaintiffs’ religious beliefs," U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney said Monday, applying a U.S. Supreme Court precedent to the case.

"Plaintiffs were forced to choose between following their religious beliefs and a government benefit for which they were otherwise qualified," Maloney said.

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Tennes grows apples and other fruit in Eaton County, 22 miles away from East Lansing. He also had made his farm available for weddings.

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.

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A judge has ruled in favor of a Michigan fruit grower whose public opposition to same-sex weddings at his orchard reportedly led to his banishment from a seasonal market in East Lansing.

Maloney issued an injunction that year, ordering the city to reinstate him while Tennes' lawsuit moved forward.

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"He serves and welcomes everyone to his stand. No one is ever turned away," attorney John Bursch said Tuesday.

East Lansing cited its non-discrimination ordinance and vendor rules in barring Tennes from the market. But the judge found problems.

"The city has not demonstrated a compelling interest in excluding plaintiffs" from the market," Maloney said. "The city’s non-discrimination ordinance tolerates the same discrimination in other situations."

An email seeking comment on the judge's decision was sent to East Lansing officials.

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Bursch said he now hopes to reach an agreement with the city and close the litigation.