By Peter J. Smith
COLUMBIA, March 26, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The South Carolina Legislature ratified a constitutional amendment Thursday banning same-sex “marriage” and civil unions overwhelmingly approved by voters in November.
The amendment was approved by 78% of voters and reads, “A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.”
South Carolina was among 7 states that approved constitutional bans against same-sex “marriage” in November. Only in Arizona did voters reject a marriage amendment because it went beyond banning same-sex “marriage” and civil unions by denying legal recognition of unwed heterosexual unions.
Although the state already had a law against same-sex “marriage”, amendment supporters said South Carolina needed to prevent judges from mandating same-sex “marriage” and civil unions as was the case in Massachusetts.
Last week in New Hampshire, the House Judiciary Committee approved the passage of a civil unions bill, which grants legal rights enjoyed by married couples, only denying the name of “marriage.” The House is expected to vote on the bill later this week, which would then move to the Senate for approval.
Although Gov. John Lynch opposes same-sex “marriage”, he has not taken a stand on civil unions and has voiced support for giving marriage like benefits to same-sex partners of state employees.
Only Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey allow same-sex civil unions, while California has domestic partnership scheme offering similar benefits.