South Carolina Gay-Marriage Ban Falls

A federal judge in South Carolina ruled Wednesday that the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional. The decision by Judge Richard Gergel is the first in a South Carolina federal court that claims the state government has no compelling interest, nor the right, to decide which people can and cannot marry. It is expected that Gov. Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson, both Republicans, will appeal. In his decision, Gergel was overturning an amendment to the state constitution approved by 78 percent of voters in 2006. It is not clear if the ruling will go into effect immediately.