Federal judge overturns marriage law in South Carolina

A federal judge has declared South Carolina’s marriage laws unconstitutional, overturning a constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2006.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel stayed his ruling until Nov. 20, giving state Attorney General Alan Wilson time to appeal the ruling. But any appeal likely will fail. South Carolina is part of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has upheld similar rulings in other states. South Carolina was the last state within the circuit to recognize marriage as only between one man and one woman.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Virginia of the 4th Circuit opinion that overturned its marriage laws, paving the way for gay marriage to become legal in all states within the circuit.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.