SC Asks for Stay of Ruling Allowing Gay Marriages

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is asking the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put on hold a federal judge's ruling allowing gay marriage in the state.

Wilson on Thursday asked the appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, to stay the order until the entire appeals court can rule on the matter. And if the court doesn't issue a stay, Wilson wants time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, ruling in the case of a same-sex couple from Charleston on Wednesday, threw out the state's constitutional ban on same sex marriage and blocked any state official from enforcing it.

But Gergel wrote his order would not take effect until noon Nov. 20, allowing Wilson a chance to appeal.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.