Supreme Court won't stop S.C. same-sex marriages

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to block gay marriages in South Carolina.

The high court on Thursday denied a request by Republican Attorney General Alan Wilson. He had wanted the marriages blocked while he challenges a judge's recent decision that opened the way for the marriages.

On Wednesday, the first marriage licenses were issued in Charleston and a lesbian couple exchanged vows on the courthouse steps.

South Carolina is one of nearly three dozen states where gay marriages have taken place. In Montana on Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

CBS affiliate WLTX reports that Wilson said Thursday he would continue the legal fight against same-sex marriage.

"Despite today's refusal to grant our motion, the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet resolved conflicting rulings by federal appeals courts on the issue of same sex marriage," Wilson said. "When the U.S. Supreme Court decides to consider the case, our office will be supporting the position of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is more consistent with South Carolina State law, which upholds the unique status of traditional marriage."