With the deputy president's signature on a new law, South Africa on Thursday became the first country on the African continent to legalize same-sex marriages. The Civil Union Act entered into force on the eve of a December 1 deadline set by the Constitutional Court for the government to change its marriage legislation to ensure full equality for gays and lesbians.

The legislation made it through parliament despite opposition from many church groups and traditional leaders, who said it violated African culture. Gay rights groups have welcomed the law, although they criticized provisions allowing marriage officers to turn away gay couples if their consciences prevent them from marrying them.

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka signed the law in her capacity as acting president because President Thabo Mbeki is in Nigeria. South Africa recognized the rights of gay people in the constitution adopted after apartheid ended in 1994, at a time when leaders were determined to bury all kinds of legal discrimination.

The constitution, the first in the world to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, provided a powerful legal tool for gay rights activists even though South Africa remains conservative on such issues. (AP)

Labels: marriage, South Africa

A same-sex marriage bill passed South Africa's upper house on Tuesday and headed to the desk of President Thabo Mbeki for signing.

Conservative religious groups and opposition members of Parliament called on Mbeki to veto the legislation but that is considered unlikely with a court ordered deadline to have marriage rights enacted looming.

The Constitutional Court gave the government until Dec. 1 to enact equal marriage rights.

Labels: marriage, South Africa

By an overwhelming vote of 230-41, the parliament of South Africa has approved a bill that would give legal recognition to same-sex unions.

The bill provides for government recognition of any "voluntary union of two persons which is solemnized and registered by either a marriage or a civil union." No ceremony is required, apart from the legal registration of the union.

The proposal was strongly backed by the ruling African National Congress, whose leaders portrayed the measure as a civil-rights initiative, likening discrimination against gays and lesbians to the apartheid racial policies of the country's former regime. It will become law when signed by President Thabo Mbeki, who has already signaled his support.

And the U.S. is now behind Mexico and South Africa for civil rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Labels: marriage, South Africa