Flurry of documents in SC gay marriage cases

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Although no hearings have yet been set, a flurry of documents continue to be filed in federal cases brought by gay couples asking to be married in South Carolina or seeking to have the state recognize their marriages performed out-of-state.

Federal cases in Charleston and Columbia challenge South Carolina’s constitutional ban on gay marriage.

In Charleston, a gay couple wants to be married. But in a pleading this week, Attorney General Alan Wilson argues that case belongs in state court.

Alternatively, he says the federal court shouldn’t consider it until a Columbia case is decided.

In that instance, a couple wants the state to recognize their marriage performed in Washington, D.C. Wilson argues the issues are similar, and a decision in Columbia will likely apply to the Charleston couple.