You know, the good part about all of these discriminatory laws being passed is that it really opens the floor to debates about gay rights, the legitimacy of relationships that don't include marriage, how laws are shaped to pressure people into marrying, and a whole slew of other issues.

Just trying to look on the bright side.

I think the age of consent to marriage in SC is 14 for girls also, and for boys it's 16 (but I haven't looked up the consent laws for a while there). I seem to remember a story of a Virginia couple (and I use the term loosely, as it was a 14 year old girl and a 35 year old man) who moved to SC just so they could get married.

I just hope the younger generation of Southerners can see through all this hate-spewing and turn the politics of the South around.

Hey, Texas' isn't that backward, but it is widely understood that the Alamo was fought for the right to marry one's cousins... because they're so attractive. I think the 14-year-old figure applies to South Carolina; here's the breakdown:

South Carolina: If you are under 18, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate and a notarized statement of parental consent. The minimum age for a female is 14 and it is 16 for a male.

Texas: The age is 18 without from a parent or your legal guardian. If under the age of 16, the law requires that the couple receives a court order before being allowed to marry.

If they can make an amendment to keep others from legalizing gay marriage, why can't they make an amendment for abortion that says it can't be made illegal???

oops double comment

Well on a related note, I have a link here from the SC State paper:

S.C. Senate losing only female lawmaker

I agree that Souther politics needs to be turned around, but several Northern states have also enacted legislation and/or passed constitutional ammendments banning same-sex marriage.

I think the politics of much of the whole damn country could use a change.

Fortunately, federal law exists above state constitutions, so we still have our chances with the Supreme Court. Slim chances, but chances none the less.

The saddest thing about the ban here in Texas is that I showed up in every single gay club protesting, trying to get people to vote (NoNonesenseNovember), but no one was interested in the ultra-serious, un-fun political process. The community had already given up.

Remember Vanessa: Consenting gay adults can't "procreate" but it's understood that hetro child brides will get to breedin' the younger the better. [sarcasm/]

Remember Vanessa: Consenting gay adults can't "procreate" but it's understood that hetro child brides will get to breedin' the younger the better. [sarcasm/]

Sorry for the double post!

Once again, norbizness, I bow down to your talent for finding a germane Simpsons quote for any topic. :)

Everything else in the post- sad-face :(

Every state that passes one of these amendments is like a dagger in my lung. The people behind them push them as something that has to be done RIGHT NOW in order to stem the tide of The Gays hell-bent on disassembling hetero marriages.

I'll never understand 1) How two other people getting married has one iota of effect on my own relationship; and 2) Why voters are buying the hype that this issue demands immediate attention by state legislatures. They're pitching it as more important than any other issue (education, transportation, climate change, war, healthcare, agriculture, retirement), and it people are just eating it up. I suppose it's easier for them to prey upon whatever feelings you get when you think about sex (SEX! SEX!), versus the relatively weak emotions surrounding, say, trans-urban high-speed rail routes.

I live in South Carolina and work in the legislature branch. So, I see first hand the crazy stuff we get from constituents and lawmakers.

As far as marriage, they amended the law in 2000 to make 16 the consenting age for marriage for women as well as men. What is disturbing is that a twelve year old who is pregnant can marry a eighteen year old man who admits paternity.

The current battle down here are two abortion bills that will force women to see ultrasounds of the fetus before they can obtain a abortion. The House bill has gone through the house and is in Senate subcommittee. The identical Senate bill is in subcommittee as well. I cannot wait to be harassed by the pro-life people that come out on Wednesday to the meeting. Governor Sanford, of course, encourages all legislators to vote for this bill.

I cannot say I am surprised. A couple years ago, they wanted to put a six foot statue of a fetus on the state house grounds to honor all the aborted "babies." Luckily, the resolution was withdrawn.