About 70 people attended the "Freedom to Marry" rally, organized by the South Carolina Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement.

Two ministers and local gay-rights activists spoke at the rally. Speakers expressed support for gays and lesbians in committed relationships and criticized state and federal lawmakers who want to ban gay marriage.

"The love we bring to the altar is already equal -- what we ask for is equality in marriage from our government," said the Rev. Andy Sidden, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Columbia, which ministers extensively to the gay and lesbian community.

Similar rallies were held Saturday in more than 20 cities across the country. In San Francisco, hundreds of gay and lesbian couples lined up outside City Hall to receive marriage licenses after that city's mayor earlier this week authorized granting the licenses for same-sex couples.

On Thursday, five gay couples tried unsuccessfully to apply for marriage licenses at a Columbia courthouse.

Many at the rally spoke against proposed South Carolina legislation against gay marriage.

State law already prohibits same-sex unions, but the proposed legislation would prevent same-sex couples married in other states from getting benefits in South Carolina.

Participants at the rally came from as far as Myrtle Beach and the Upstate.

Larry Candler, 63, made the trip from Greenville with his wife and two other people who are members of that city's chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

"I have three gay children, and what the state is about to do with this bill would discriminate against them," Candler said. "They work, they pay taxes, and this will discriminate against them and a whole segment of our community. It's all about equality."

Columbia resident Alvin McEwen, 33, said he would like state legislators to focus on the plight of foster children and the poor instead of fighting gay marriages.

"The people gathered here this morning young, old, black, white demonstrate that all the lies and myths about gay people are incorrect," McEwen said. "This rally for marriage is not about sex, it's about equal rights."

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