Tennessee law barring ordained ministers from celebrating marriages is suspended in court



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A Tennessee law that came into force earlier this month will prohibit ministers who have been ordained online from celebrating marriages if a federal judge allows them.

The Times Free Press reported last week that a federal judge had suspended a law passed by the Republican majority of the state after finding "serious constitutional problems" with the ban by law of Authorize ordained ministers online to celebrate weddings.

Four ministers ordained in the state have filed a complaint, claiming that the law specifically targets LGBTQ people.

NPR reported Saturday that opponents of the law rushed to celebrate mass marriages of people who do not wish to hire a traditional minister for their ceremonies, the bill remaining pending while its constitutionality is being considered.

It is not clear whether these marriages, many of which were celebrated after July 1, will remain legal if the ban is upheld.

"Many laws in Tennessee actually limit our rights and ability to function as citizens," Kelsey Page, a transgender Tennessean, Tennessean, told NPR.

Proponents of the bill argued that state law did not make it clear whether marriages performed by ordained ministers online were legal.

"At present, it is not clear, in the eyes of the law, whether these marriages are legal or not," said state representative Michael Curcio (R), according to NPR.

The lawsuit is expected to be heard by the end of the fall, according to the Times Free Press, while ordained online ministers will be allowed to celebrate wedding ceremonies until their conclusion.

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