Β CHARLOTTE, NC — A step forward for gay marriage in North Carolina. Β A federal judge lifted stays in two cases challenging Amendment One Wednesday. Β Same-sex couples say it’s a sign the ban will soon be struck down.
WCCB Charlotte caught up with one couple who has already filled out the online marriage application. Β They say they’ve waited more than 10 years to legally tie the knot.
“My hope is to walk out tomorrow with a marriage license. Β We have everything that we need. Β We just waiting on the judge to make a ruling. Β And that’s not a ‘if’. Β It’s a ‘when’,” said NoDa resident Joey Hewell.
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has gone on record to say he will no longer defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
More than a dozen same-sex couples have applied for marriage licenses in Charleston and Columbia. Β South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is trying to stop the weddings. Β There’s a 24-hour waiting period after receiving a license, so Wilson is asking the state Supreme Court to rule before then on his request to put the licenses on hold. Β He says the legality of same-sex marriage in South Carolina needs to be settled first.
