Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Fruit grower who opposes same-sex marriage wins ruling over access to public market
Latest News
August 22, 2023

Fruit grower who opposes same-sex marriage wins ruling over access to public market

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,” US District Judge Paul Maloney said Monday, applying a US 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.

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.

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

“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.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Brook hails ‘brilliant’ Banton as England back on track at T20 World Cup
International News, Latest News, Sports
Brook hails ‘brilliant’ Banton as England back on track at T20 World Cup
February 14, 2026
KOLKATA, India (AFP) — England captain Harry Brook paid tribute to Tom Banton, who starred with the bat to guide England to a five-wicket win over Sco...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Brazil’s Braathen wins South America’s first ever Winter Olympic gold
Latest News, Sports
Brazil’s Braathen wins South America’s first ever Winter Olympic gold
February 14, 2026
BORMIO Italy (AFP) — Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen held his nerve to win the men's alpine skiing giant slalom in Bormio on Saturday for South Ameri...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Sunshine Girls’ Henry-Wright remains in Australia for coaching workshops
Latest News, Sports
Sunshine Girls’ Henry-Wright remains in Australia for coaching workshops
February 14, 2026
Head coach of the Sunshine Girls, Sasher Gaye Henry-Wright has remained in Australia following the international series between Jamaica's Sunshine Gir...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Cops make AK-47 find in east Kingston
Latest News, News
Cops make AK-47 find in east Kingston
February 14, 2026
A high-powered weapon and almost 300 rounds of assorted ammunition were found during a targeted raid at Glasspole Avenue in Rockfort, east Kingston, o...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Newcomers WiFi seek to extend winning start in JFF Championships
Latest News, Sports
Newcomers WiFi seek to extend winning start in JFF Championships
PAUL A REID Observer writer reidp@jamaicaobserver.com 
February 14, 2026
ST MARY, Jamaica – WiFi United and Grays Inn SC will both be seeking to maintain their winning starts in the Jamaica Football Championships when they ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nia Robinson, Shaquena Foote set personal best in indoor meets
Latest News, Sports
Nia Robinson, Shaquena Foote set personal best in indoor meets
February 13, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Jamaicans Nia Robinson and Shaquena Foote produced personal best performances, both finishing in the top 10 in the world, at indoor...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
75-y-o pedal cyclist killed in Hanover crash
Latest News, News
75-y-o pedal cyclist killed in Hanover crash
February 13, 2026
HANOVER, Jamaica — A 75-year-old man has become the 33rd road fatality since the start of the year, after he succumbed to injuries sustained in a moto...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Trinidad gets licences from United States for oil and gas activities in Venezuela
Latest News, Regional
Trinidad gets licences from United States for oil and gas activities in Venezuela
February 13, 2026
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago government on Friday said that it has been issued with two United States general licences, whi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct