South Carolina’s Attorney General says he will appeal A federal judge’s ruling that struck down South Carolina’s ban on gay marriage.
When U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled South Carolina’s amendment banning same sex marriage was unconstitutional, he gave the state 8 days to consider their options. South Carolina’s Attorney General Alan Wilson needed just a few hours before confirming he will appeal the decision saying he has an obligation to defend the state’s laws.
Wilson has argued a recent decision by the sixth US circuit court of appeals, which said some states have the right to set rules on marriage, gave South Carolina the ability to keep its ban in place.
But South Carolina is under the jurisdiction of the 4th Circuit and they will hear the state’s appeal. The 4th circuit has ruled bans on same-sex marriages are unconstitutional. South Carolina is the only state in the 4th circuit that doesn’t currently allow same-sex marriages.