At least six gay couples received
marriage licenses Wednesday in South Carolina.
According to multiple local sources,
Probate Judge Irvin Condon in Charleston issued the licenses.
Within hours, Kristin Anderson and
Kayla Bennett exchanged vows, making them the first gay couple to
legally marry in the state. The women, together 4 years, wed in
front of the Charleston County Courthouse in a ceremony officiated by
Tobin Williamson.
One the licenses was given to Colleen
Condon and Nichols Bleckley, plaintiffs in a case challenging South
Carolina's ban. Last week, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled
in favor of the plaintiffs.
However, Gergel's order doesn't take
effect until Thursday at noon.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan
Wilson on Tuesday asked Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to
stay Gergel's order as the state pursues an appeal.
(Related: South
Carolina asks Supreme Court to stay gay marriage ruling.)
An attorney representing Judge Condon
said that a decision in a separate case paved the way for Wednesday's
move. In that case, U.S. District Judge J. Michelle Childs ordered
the state to recognize the out-of-state marriages of gay couples.