Same Sex Marriage Ban and Laws: South Carolina Supreme Court Halts Gay Marriage Licenses
The South Carolina Supreme Court has put a halt on same-sex marriage licenses while it mulls over whether the state constitution's ban on the gay marriage is legal or not.
On Thursday morning, the justices handed down a ruling that prevented gay couples from receiving marriage licenses just one day after Charleston County Probate Court Judge Irving Condon began accepting same-sex marriage applications, reports WYFF.
However, Attorney General Alan Wilson petitioned the court to block the issuance of any licenses until a federal judge decides on the issue.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider six Court of Appeals decisions that found state bans on gay marriage unconstitutional.
As a result, Judge Condon stated that his court is mandated to accept and issue marriage licenses, reports the Associated Press.
"South Carolina is bound by the 4th Circuit decision," said Aaron Sarver, the communications director for the Campaign for Southern Equality, according to USA Today.
However, Wilson along with Republican Gov. Nikki Haley vowed to continue to fight for the ban.
Jeff Ayers, the chairman of the South Carolina Equality Board of Directors, condemned the state's political leaders for wasting taxpayer money.
"It's not a question in South Carolina," Sarver said in a press release. "It will happen. There may be delay tactics but the reality is we'll be seeing weddings very soon."
According to the Associated Press, one South Carolina court has already been granted a marriage license to a same-sex couple.
In addition, a group of plaintiffs in Charlotte and Asheville filed a motion Tuesday requesting an Asheville judge to immediately allow them to marry.
"We're very hopeful U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger could act today," said Aaron Sarver, spokesman for the Asheville-based Campaign for Southern Equality. "This is really the last procedural roadblock. We could see same-sex couples lining up as soon as today."
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