PHOTOS: The freedom to marry arrives in some South Carolina counties

Today, October 8, same-sex couples rejoiced in South Carolina as some county officials began taking action and accepting applications for marriage licenses. In other counties, advocates at South Carolina Equality, the Campaign for Southern Equality, and Gender Benders pushed for the implementation of the 4th Circuit ruling in SC.

The movement in South Carolina comes just two days after the United States Supreme Court denied review in five marriage cases, including a case from Virginia, where the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit affirmed that denying the freedom to marry to same-sex couples is unconstitutional.

Early this morning, marriage supporters celebrated as Charleston County Councilwoman Colleen Condon and her fiancee Nichols Bleckley became the first same-sex couple in South Carolina to apply for a marriage license after Charleston County Probate Judge Irvin Condon announced that, barring intervention from the South Carolina Supreme Court or other court, Charleston County would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples (Below Left). Several other counties followed suit.

This same morning, same-sex couples joined with South Carolina Equality and the Campaign for Southern Equality for a state-wide day of action in SC. There, couples were told that the 4th Circuit decision was still under review and that no licenses would be issued (Below Right).

Still, couples from across the state came together to stand up for the freedom to marry in South Carolina, where the law is at last on their side.

The Campaign for Southern Equality wrote today to supporters, "We applaud the decisions of judges in Charleston and Richland Counties. South Carolina is bound by ruling of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Bostic case and marriage equality must move forward across South Carolina. We urge Probate Courts across South Carolina to take the same step as Judge Condon."

It's time for marriage across the 4th Circuit and the 10th Circuit. And it's time for the freedom to marry nationwide. 

Read more coverage of this movement in South Carolina HERE.