The lawsuit was initially started by the anti-same-sex marriage group Christen für Traditionelle Ehe against the State of German Lower Saxony, arguing that the state's legalization of same-sex marriage in September 1999 was unconstitutional as it went against "the natural order wherein procreation and security for the children stand central, and where God in his almighty knowledge prevents the people from sodomy". The group is known as being firmly anti-gay and highly religious, instigating attempts to illegalize sodomy and homosexuality, these attempts so far always having been in vain.