HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Some give or receive flowers or chocolates on Valentine's Day, but all one Myrtle Beach couple wanted to do was get married. They were denied that chance by an Horry County judge because they're gay.
Benji Herndon and Lora Talbot have been together three years and they're raising a family together. The couple, along with their son and a few supporters, went to apply for a marriage license Tuesday despite knowing they'd be denied.
Herndon and Talbot say they wanted the action to show others how unfairly they're treated under the law. The Palmetto State has both a statute and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
They referred to the form of protest as a Marry-In and acknowledged it's been done before in South Carolina, but never in Horry County.
A judge told them they could apply for a license, but under South Carolina law, she'd have to deny them.
"This is the law set forth by the legislature. It's in our Constitution and we have a statute in South Carolina. You can apply for a marriage license, but I will not be able to issue the license to you," she said.
Even though the couple knew what to expect, they say the gravity of being denied the right to marry was emotional.
"This doesn't represent a million families, hundreds of thousands of people who deserve their rights. This doesn't represent any of us," said Talbot, holding back tears.
Herndon and Talbot say they'll be back to apply for a license again, until it's legal.
Copyright 2012 WMBF News. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WMBF, a Raycom Media Station.
