From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (they didn't bother putting a hyperlink in their email containing the release, so they don't get a link on my page - perhaps some day our groups will learn Internet 101):
Despite feverish last-minute efforts, the South Carolina state legislature ended its regular session today without approving a proposed state constitutional amendment to prohibit the recognition of same sex marriage and any other form of partner recognition outside of marriage. The measure passed the state House of Representatives on March 17 by 93 to 7, but stalled in the Senate....
The South Carolina gay community united to thwart the proposed amendment, raising a warchest, hiring a well-regarded lobbyist, and mounting a sophisticated constituent pressure campaign focused on the State Senate.
In the closing hours of the session, the House of Representatives repeatedly attached the anti-marriage amendment to several unrelated pieces of legislation in the hopes of forcing a senate vote. These efforts failed for a number of reasons, including a filibuster by one senator objecting to a gubernatorial appointment.
With today's win, South Carolina became the ninth state in which efforts to pass an anti-marriage constitutional amendment have failed in legislatures this year. Other states include Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, and Minnesota. Anti-gay forces have succeeded in placing anti-marriage constitutional amendments on the ballot in six states - Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Utah. Another seven states are at risk to have an amendment on the ballot.
