His decision takes effect on November 20 .
November 12 : U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel rules in Condon v. Haley that South Carolina 's ban on same - sex marriage is unconstitutional .
Richard Gergel 's decision takes effect on November 20 .
November 12 : U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel rules in Condon v. Haley that South Carolina 's ban on same - sex marriage is unconstitutional .