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Berkeley County to begin accepting same-sex marriage applications

WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 – Charleston News, Sports, Weather

Copyright: shsphotography / 123RF Stock Photo
Copyright: shsphotography / 123RF Stock Photo

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Shortly after two lesbian couples made South Carolina history by getting the first legal same-sex marriage license and exchanging vows outside the Charleston Courthouse, comes the news that Berkeley County will begin accepting same-sex marriage license applications starting tomorrow.

According to WCBD-TV, Berkeley County court clerks will begin accepting same-sex marriage applications beginning Thursday at noon.

Once a same-sex couple stops by the courthouse and applies for a marriage license, they will reportedly be able to pick it up the following day.

This week, same-sex couples throughout South Carolina were watching closely as the Fourth Circuit considered an appeal from Attorney General Alan Wilson to stop a Circuit court judge’s ruling that struck down the state’s ban.

After Tuesday’s ruling in favor of a same-sex couple from out of state seeking recognition in South Carolina, it set the wheels in motion for South Carolina gay and lesbian couples to be able to pick up their licenses and get married.

Wilson issued the following statement Tuesday regarding the ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals which denied the application for stay from that Circuit.

“This issue has not yet been resolved nationally.  It is still likely the U.S. Supreme Court will address conflicting rulings between federal circuit courts of appeal,” stated Wilson.

The attorney general added that Tuesday’s ruling by the Fourth Circuit still does not end the constitutional obligation of his office to defend South Carolina law.

“We continue to believe the doctrine of federalism and the Tenth Amendment should allow South Carolina’s unique laws to be considered at the highest appropriate court of appeal.  We will be seeking an application to the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay shortly.”

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One Comment

  1. Mickie Lynn Halley

    it is time to let go to obsession with homosexuals and deal with real issues.
    Gay marriage in no way affects the marriage of heterosexuals and if you feel like it lessens the value of your marriage then maybe you should take a good look at what is going on in it before blindly blaming outside occurrences.
    banning gay marriage will not
    fix our roads.
    feed our hungry
    shelter our homeless
    bring jobs to our state
    improve our schools
    fix our DSS problems
    or address any issues which have real impact on the daily lives of South Carolinians.
    the average persons objections to gay marriage are personal issues which need to be addressed by the individual who objects. Not the gay couple getting married.