NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge’s ruling on Friday that Tennessee must recognize the marriages of three same-sex couples is drawing both praise and condemnation.
Nashville based U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger issued a preliminary injunction barring Tennessee from enforcing state laws that prohibit recognition of the marriages. The couples were legally married in other states and filed suit to force Tennessee to recognize their unions.
David Fowler, President of the Family Action Council of Tennessee, says the ruling was not unexpected.
“I’m hopeful that the Attorney General can put forward sufficient evidence to establish that there are valid reasons for defining marriage as between and man and a woman, and that children do best when they have a mother and a father and not just two dads or two moms.”
Hedy Weinberg, Director of the Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, says that while this is a narrow ruling, it has much wider implications.
“It’s a recognition that our state should be about equality and fairness and ensuring that individuals who are making this life commitment to each other can in fact be treated fairly and equally in our state.”
Trauger noted that her order only applies to the three couples. A preliminary injunction can only be granted in cases the judge believes the plaintiff will likely win.