Quid novi ex Africa | Same-sex marriage become legal in South Africa

On December 1, 2005, South Africa's Constitutional Court gave Parliament a year to reconcile a definition of marriage that is not unconstitutional in terms of common law marriage. Failing this directive, on December 1, 2006 same-sex marriages will become legally recognized and permissible by the State.

As it is common everywhere else this issue comes under public debate, major opposition comes from staunch religious organizations.

Nations of the world that sanction same-sex unions, South Africa will join The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and Canada.

On the African continent, homosexual behavior is illegal in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and most other sub-Saharan countries.


On-line References:

Associated Press: South African parliament OKs gay marriage
CBC NEWS South Africa passes same-sex marriage bill
Wikipedia Same-sex marriage in South Africa