(Columbia) -- South Carolina House members have introduced bills that would prohibit the recognition in the Palmetto State of
gay marriages performed elsewhere.

The bills come a week after a Massachusetts court ruling that paves the way for gay marriages.

The bills, sponsored by Greenville Republican Gloria Haskins and Florence Republican Marty Coates also seek to deny insurance
benefits for same-sex partners.

South Carolina passed a law in 1996 that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Haskins says the new bills help
prevent another state's action from having any effect on South Carolina.

Critics say the bills discriminate against homosexuals.