A Catholic farmer has won a court ruling over religious freedom six years after he was banned from the market for speaking out against same-sex marriage.

The ruling, titled Country Mill Farms v. City of East Lansing, states that Steve Tennes and his Michigan farm, Country Mill Farms, had been "forced to choose between following their religious beliefs and a government benefit." The ruling comes six years after Tennes sued the city of East Lansing for barring him from its farmer's market over his beliefs on same-sex marriage, according to a press release from Alliance Defending Freedom.

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"The reason is simple: denying a person an equal share of the rights, benefits, and privileges enjoyed by other citizens because of her faith discourages religious activity,” the ruling read.

Tennes had stated on social media that he believes and follows what the Catholic Church teaches on marriage, leading to East Lansing officials enacting a policy to prohibit Tennes and his farm from partaking in the city’s farmer’s market. The city's actions were made even though Tennes's farm is in Charlotte, Michigan, roughly 22 miles from East Lansing.

The farmer was represented by ADF attorneys in his lawsuit against the city. In the wake of the ruling, Kate Anderson, a senior counsel for ADF, praised the court's decision for defending religious freedom, adding that Tennes and his farm "happily serve all customers as a valued vendor at East Lansing’s farmer’s market."

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“At the same time, they are eager to mend fences with current city officials and get back to doing what Country Mill does best — as expressed in its mission statement: ‘glorifying God by facilitating family fun on the farm and feeding families,’” Anderson said.

Religious freedom in businesses and nonprofits has become a growing issue in the United States in the past few years. Earlier this year, New York state officials opted to settle a lawsuit with a Christian-based adoption agency that was sued for alleged discrimination against LGBT couples, meaning the officials could no longer target the adoption agency for its religious policies.