Activists fight fear, ban on same-sex marriages

COLUMBIA - Ginger and Mac McClure seize every chance they get to talk about gay rights.

"We have a gay son, and we hope we can provide some support for equal rights," said Mrs. McClure, 64, a retired statistician who was among hundreds gathered for the state's largest gay pride rally at a downtown park Saturday.

The Columbia couple said there has been progress in South Carolina, but they have noticed less acceptance of gays and lesbians since the terrorist attacks in 2001.

"The more fear, the more people are afraid of people who are different than them," said Mr. McClure, 62, a retired psychology professor.

Organizers said they have taken the annual event away from the steps of the Statehouse this year to focus on the community instead of soliciting lawmakers for support.

"It's about us, it's not about them," said Ed Madden, the president of the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement.

But the rally still had a political agenda.

Mr. Madden urged the community to work against efforts banning same-sex marriage in South Carolina.

"That legislation hurts families, it hurts kids," said Mr. Madden, adding that the state is among the top five in the percentage of same-sex couples raising children.

The General Assembly has agreed to send the issue to voters in November 2006 on whether to change the South Carolina Constitution to say "marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this State."

State law already bars same-sex unions, but supporters say a constitutional ban is needed because a single judge's ruling could trump the law and force South Carolina to recognize same-sex unions from other states.

"I disagree with what they're doing, especially to get a constitutional amendment to deny the rights of Americans," Mrs. McClure said.

Mr. Madden said he was not surprised by the anti-gay attitude in the Statehouse.

"I think it was inevitable," Mr. Madden said. "Anytime there is progress, there is a backlash."