The Supreme Court of the State of South Carolina has stepped into the marriage debate and banned the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the 4th Circuit rules otherwise.
Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s announcement Monday, in which it declined to hear any same-sex marriage cases, same-sex couples are being banned from marrying in states like South Carolina. The decision from the nation’s top court effectively means that same-sex marriage bans in the five states that were denied certiorari — a hearing — as well as the additional six states in the same federal court circuits, which would include South Carolina, should be dropping their bans on same-sex marriage.
Some of the six states indirectly affected by Monday’s announcement, like Colorado, have followed the spirit of the Supreme Court’s announcement, realizing that same-sex marriage is inevitable in their state. Others, like South Carolina, have fought hard to retain anti-gay bigotry enshrined in their laws.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was quick to announce she would continue to defend the ban, only later compromising by stating she would defer to the State Supreme Court. Her Attorney General, Alan Wilson, petitioned the State Supreme Court to retain his state’s marriage ban.
LOOK: South Carolina Issues First Marriage License For Same-Sex Couple
And now, the South Carolina Supreme Court has done just that.
“The South Carolina Supreme Court is ordering state probate courts not to issue same-sex marriage licenses until a federal judge decides whether the state constitution’s ban on the unions is legal,” the AP reports.
In essence, this is not only a delay tactic, but a political one. Both Gov. Haley and AG Wilson are running for re-election.
WCSC reports that “19 same-sex couples filed for their marriage license in Charleston County Wednesday.”
Several others began applying for their marriage licenses when the office opened at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Three couples applied for licenses in Greenville County and were all denied.Â
Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed adds this via Twitter:
Image: Wikimedia
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Related At The New Civil Rights Movement:
South Carolina Newspaper Urges Governor Haley To End Marriage Battle ‘Doomed To Fail’
GOP Governors Refusing To Allow Same-Sex Marriage Despite Supreme Court Announcement
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