CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina court has issued a marriage license to a same-sex couple despite the state’s constitutional ban against the practice and the attorney general’s pledge to defend it.
Charleston County Probate Judge Irvin Condon issued the license Wednesday morning to two women: Charleston County Councilwoman Colleen Condon and Nichols Bleckley.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal of a ruling allowing same-sex marriage by a federal appeals court with jurisdiction over South Carolina.
In a statement, Condon said that as a result, his court is required to accept and issue marriage licenses.
State Attorney General Alan Wilson had vowed to keep fighting a case in which a same-sex couple married elsewhere had asked South Carolina to recognize their union. On Monday morning, a Wilson spokesman said the attorney general was reviewing the matter.
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South Carolina’s defiance lasted all of 48 hours.
This is your big chance, Lindsey! Be gay, be free, get hitched!
Bridesmaid For Hire
An object lesson for SC AG Alan Wilson:
Paddle your own Canute, Wilson.
The retrograde right-wing jerks in SC won’t go down without a fight (pun intended.)
"Although same-sex marriage licenses will be issued in Charleston County, the legal fight over same-sex marriages being legally accepted in the state is not over.
According to South Carolina law, same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships are not recognized by the state.
Monday’s United States Supreme Court ruling to thwart appeals to uphold same-sex marriage bans in Utah, Indiana, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Virginia means marriage bans are considered unconstitutional in the 4th U.S. Circuit. That ruling paves the way for other states, including South Carolina, to get rid of similar bans once approved by each state.
Mark Powell, Communications Director for the office of state Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
“Because the Attorney General’s Office has ongoing federal litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on this matter at this time.”