Condon v. Haley
Lambda Legal, in partnership with South Carolina Equality, filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court of South Carolina arguing that South Carolina is obligated to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Lambda Legal, in partnership with South Carolina Equality, filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court of South Carolina arguing that South Carolina is obligated to allow same-sex couples to marry. Governor Haley and Attorney General Wilson vowed to continue to apply the laws banning marriage for same-sex couples even after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals striking down a similar ban in Virginia. Because South Carolina is also within the jurisdiction of the Fourth Circuit, the decision in the Virginia case is binding on South Carolina.
Lambda Legal represents Colleen Condon and Nicholes Bleckley who applied and paid for a marriage license in Charleston County last week before the Attorney General asked the South Carolina State Supreme Court to step in and put a halt to the issuances of marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The South Carolina Supreme Court effectively stopped state court judges from issuing marriage licenses or weighing in on marriage equality pending an order from federal court. Another federal case, Bradacs v. Haley, remains pending – it involves couples already legally married seeking recognition in South Carolina of their marriage, while the Condon suit seeks the issuance of a marriage license.
- October 6, 2014 The United States Supreme Court lets the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in McQuigg v. Bostic stand, invalidating all marriage bans within the Fourth Circuit.
- October 16, 2014 After South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson refuse to comply with the decision in McQuigg, Lambda Legal files suit in the United States District Court of South Carolina
- November 12, 2014 A federal judge strikes down South Carolina’s marriage ban.
- November 18, 2014 The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals refuses to hear the State’s appeal.
- November 20, 2014 The U. S. Supreme Court denies the State’s request for a stay. Marriages begin in South Carolina.