Lesbian Couple Sues to Have South Carolina’s Same-sex Marriage Ban Overturned

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)  —  Attorney Carrie Warner claims the walk into the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Columbia to sue South Carolina’s governor and attorney general may be the longest she and her clients, a married lesbian couple, have ever made.

“This is huge, being as conservative as a state that we are,” said Warner.  South Carolina does not recognize marriage between gay couples at all.”

Her clients Tammie Goodwin and wife, whose identity she wanted concealed, were married in the District of Columbia over a year ago, and have the certificate of marriage to prove it.  However, based on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), South Carolina deems marriage exists between one man and one woman.

Warner and her clients are challenging that ban.

“People who are married in other states have the same rights as heterosexual couples do who are married in other states to have their marriage recognized in South Carolina. That’s what we’re looking to do today.”

She believes it is the first such lawsuit of its kind to ever be filed here.

“If it had been done, we would’ve already heard about it.”

Tammie Goodwin shares three children with her female spouse. She says this fight for equality is about more than being allowed to share a life with her wife.

“I know it won’t be easy. We expect bumps along the way,” said Goodwin. “We want to put our children on my wife’s insurance but have been unable to do so.  I haven’t changed my name, even though I’m married.  I need a court order to do that.”

She says she realizes there will be much resistance to her efforts.

“Putting ourselves out here like this puts us at risk in a way. The last thing you want want is to lose your job, family, and friends, but it’s got to start somewhere.”

Forty-two lawsuits in state and federal courts have reportedly been filed.  A spokesperson for Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office, though, tells ABC Columbia, “Our office has not received notification of a lawsuit on this matter. Therefore, I cannot comment on something I have not seen.”

“We understand we need diligence and not be afraid to take some knots and keep going forward,” said Warner.  “We’re prepared to do that.”

Tracie and her spouse say they realize any changes to state law may take years. However, they say the fight for marriage has to start somewhere and is worth it.