Same-sex couples begin applying to marry in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Charleston probate judge is being hailed as courageous by same-sex marriage advocates across South Carolina. Judge Irvin Condon accepted a marriage application Wednesday morning from his cousin Colleen Condon, and her partner Nichols Bleckley.

However, Wednesday night, the South Carolina attorney general asked the state Supreme Court to halt gay marriage licenses. The state Supreme Court could also issue a stay on same-sex marriages, until the legal situation is made clear.

READ: Letter from Charleston judge regarding gay marriages
 
Hours later, the couple appeared at a large rally on the steps of the statehouse in Columbia. They told the crowd they expected to be turned away, but now are hopeful for a marriage license within 24 hours.
 
Just two days after the Supreme Court's decision not to get involved, gay marriage advocates spoke out, believing that the battle is over.

"I think it's great to see that it's moving forward down here faster than we thought it would," said Brittany Rininger, who married her partner Amy Counts in January in Washington D.C.
 
Now she wants to see their relationship made legal in South Carolina.
 
"I want our marriage to be recognized in my home state," she said.
 
At Wednesday's rally, members of South Carolina Equality urged Gov. Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson not to continue supporting the state's ban on gay marriage, passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2006. Seventy-eight percent of voters approved that ban on gay marriage and civil unions.

WATCH: Same-sex rally in Columbia, S.C.
 
However, after the Supreme Court's inaction this week, things are changing rapidly.
 
"We'd ask them to stop fighting this uncivil war against our own citizens now. Stop embarrassing South Carolina," said Columbia attorney Malissa Burnette.
 
The attorney general's spokesman J. Mark Powell, sent Channel 9 a statement in response to a request for comment.

SPECIAL SECTION: Same-sex marriage
 
"Because the Attorney General's Office has ongoing federal litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on this matter at this time," Powell said via email.
 
Same-sex marriage supporters made their own statement, marching to Wilson's office themselves, with a petition containing roughly 5,000 names, asking for an end to the legal battle.
"You're going to lose. It's inevitable. It's a losing battle," said Jennifer Tague, who has a gay brother.
 
Jeff Ayers, executive director of South Carolina Equality, called continuing the battle a waste of taxpayer money. However, he never expected change would come this quickly.
 
"We fought for so long, and we never anticipated this happening this fast here," Ayers said.

MORE: How same-sex marriage is unfolding in 11 states
 
Late Wednesday, the Palmetto Family Council released a statement saying in part: "The marriage licenses being accepted and approved by politically-motivated officials are illegal! We applaud the decision of Attorney General Alan Wilson to allow litigation in this matter to run its course."

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