OKLAHOMA CITY ? A federal judge struck down a 2-year-old law that prohibits Oklahoma from recognizing adoptions by same-sex couples from other states and countries.

U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron ruled Friday that the measure violated due process rights under the U.S. Constitution because it attempted to break up families without considering the parents’ fitness or the children’s best interests.

Gay rights organization Lambda Legal had challenged the law on behalf of three same-sex couples.

One of the plaintiffs, Heather Finstuen, said the ruling would allow her and partner Anne Magro to focus on being parents to their 7-year-old twin girls rather than worrying about the adoption law.

“This is really good news for our family,” she said. “It’s a huge relief.”

The couple said the law endangered the legal relationship established by a New Jersey court between Finstuen and her adopted daughters. The girls were born to Magro.