SOUTH CAROLINA: Lesbian Couple Sues To Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Ban

A lesbian couple that married in Washington DC has filed suit to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage in their home state of South Carolina.

The lawsuit, brought by S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Katherine Bradacs and Tracie Goodwin, was filed in U.S. District Court in Columbia last week. Judge Joe Anderson, a veteran judge who has presided in numerous high-profile civil and criminal cases, has been named to hear arguments in the case, which will be heard without a jury. Defendants in the case are Gov. Nikki Haley and State Attorney General Alan Wilson, both in their official capacities. In the lawsuit, Bradacs is described as “a public employee.” Goodwin is described as “80 percent disabled from the U.S. Air Force and receives benefits from the Veterans Administration.” The suit says they are “in a long-term committed relationship.” The suit also says that “lesbian and gay police officers, firefighters and other first responders are denied the peace of mind of knowing that if they make the ultimate sacrifice, their partner will be taken care of through the financial support available to help those who lost their spouses in service to the community.”

Initial news reports do not indicate if the couple has the support of the national LGBT rights groups that usually assist in these attempts.