Judge strikes down S.C. same-sex marriage ban!

[RKP5637]

Excellent!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/12/south-carolina-same-sex-marriage-ban/18908393/

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A U.S. District Court judge has struck down South Carolina's same-sex marriage ban, saying it's unconstitutional.

Judge Richard Gergel issued his ruling Wednesday in a case brought by two women who tried to get a marriage license in Charleston, S.C.

Marriage licenses can't be immediately handed out as Gergel issued a stay on his order until Nov. 20.

A spokesman for South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Wilson is reviewing the ruling.

Earlier this year, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Virginia's same-sex marriage prohibition. When the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the case in early October, some interpreted that as a de facto ruling on other states' gay-marriage laws that are under the jurisdiction of the 4th Circuit, including South Carolina. South Carolina was the only state in the circuit refusing to allow such marriages.

But Gergel's ruling says the state's law infringes on the U.S. Constitution's due process and equal protection clause, and his order stops Wilson and any other law enforcement body in the state from enforcing the current ban.

[shenmue]

1. Yay!!

[mercuryblues]

2. The heads

they are exploding. What a great day in South Carolina.