South Carolina Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

South Carolina's gay marriage ban was ruled unconstitutional on Wednesday.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel issued the ruling in favor of Colleen Condon and Ann Bleckley, a same-sex couple who filed a lawsuit against the state when they were denied a marriage license after applying for one and paying the filing fee in early October.

Gergel granted the state's motion for a temporary stay on issuing gay marriage licenses until Nov. 20.

South Carolina voters passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage by a wide majority in 2006. Last month, a U.S. appeals court overturned Virginia's gay marriage ban. Though the court also has jurisdiction over South Carolina, North Carolina and West Virginia, South Carolina was the only state in the circuit to continue denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the ruling.

"This administration will continue to uphold the will of the people," South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) said in an October statement.

Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson are expected to appeal Gergel's decision.

Read the court order below:

South Carolina Gay Marriage Order