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GLBT Group Preparing to Challenge Tenn. Ban on Gay Marriage

tnequalityproject.org

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — The Tennessee Equality Project is preparing to challenge Tennessee’s ban on gay marriage in federal court.

Earlier this week, same sex couples applied for marriage licenses in Davidson, Wilson and Shelby Counties. They did so at the Equality Project’s urging to gain additional standing in any future challenge to Tennessee law.

TEP President Chris Sanders says that, following the Supreme Court’s rulings on same sex marriage earlier this summer, federal judges in Ohio and Michigan have allowed legal challenges to state bans on gay marriage to go forward.

“Both Ohio and Michigan are in the 6th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals just like Tennessee. So we may get good precedent in our circuit and we may have marriage equality sooner than we think."

Late last week, the conservative Family Action Council of Tennessee reacted with alarm to the Ohio ruling. The Council is urging that the State of Tennessee join the Ohio case in defense of traditional marriage.

A statement from the council says that how Tennessee officials react will make it clear “where our Governor and state legislators stand on the issue of marriage."