COLUMBIA - Pride and politics mixed Saturday on the streets of Columbia, as organizers of the state's largest gay pride gathering tried to rally opposition to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

"No one has a right to tell me who to marry or who to love," said 23-year-old Velvet Wilson of Charleston, who cheered on participants as the parade passed. "People should vote no to this amendment because these are our rights. We live in the United States of America, and we the people have rights."

Armed with a megaphone and signs, small groups of protesters also gathered to show their support for the amendment.

"I want to warn these people ... to warn America that it is turning its back on God through supporting homosexuality," said Lewis B. Rivers, 54, of Columbia. "Homosexuality is evil. It's an abomination to God. Marriage should be between a man and a woman. There's no doubt about that."

James Budenbender and a few members of Concord Baptist Church in Lexington held signs quoting Bible verses.

"I don't agree with same-sex marriage. I don't agree with same-sex at all," Budenbender said.

Voters will decide in November if the state constitution should be changed to prohibit same-sex marriages.

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

"This amendment is not good for anyone," said Radar Williams, a parade and festival organizer.

"It even affects heterosexuals. A lot of legal documents may become invalid. Domestic partner benefits may become invalid. You can even have instances where restraining orders for a girl who may be abused by a boyfriend would become invalid because the government would not recognize that union," Williams said.

Organizers of the South Carolina pride event did not rule out the possibility of a lawsuit if the amendment passes.

"We're not sure at this point what the legal ramifications of this amendment would be," said Kate Goodrich, president of the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement.