South African high court requires state to authorize same-sex marriage.

From apartheid to this in 20 years--pretty interesting.

Actually it's Apartheid to this in 11 years of Democracy - not bad all things considered...

The interesting thing to note is that the SA Constitution was drafted (mainly) by two male politicians on the opposite side of the political fence, but who were (reportedly) sharing a bed.

At a personal level I do not share the Gay and Lesbian Equality spokesperson's dissapointment that it will take a year to implement, after so long a year is not long to wait.

However at a Political level I can understand their anxiousness to have it pushed through - at a senior political level the politicians in the governing party (ANC) have never been happy with the Constitution's liberal approach to Gay rights - it was essentially an oversight due to the pressure to approve the Constitution in 1996. Informed rumour has it that it is the ANC's intention to change this component of the Constitution if they achieve majority rule - something that could occur early next year - if the marriage act has not been amended before then, even this latest judgement could be for nothing.

Roark, I have to ask where you get your "facts". The ANC dominated the assembly that wrote the Constitution. It explicitly forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Nelson Mandela pointed to this with pride as the world's first. The ANC charter also includes a point opposing discrimination based on sexual orientation. Now you say an ANC majority will amend the Constitution to delete this? Based on what?

I'd like to offer my congratulations to the people of South Africa. Welcome to the small but growing group of nations that truely values all their citizens' freedom and equality, where the words "human rights" is not a catch phrase but loaded with meaning and where the dignity of all trumps the ignorance of a few.

Rex

Roark, who were the 2 male politicians reportedly sharing a bed? I just spent 9 months in South Africa and it's a beautiful country with wonderful people, and some serious problems. I'm ready to go back anytime. If anyone on here is considering going there to get married, I have a dear old friend who puts on spectacular weddings on a river just outside of Johannesburg and she would be happy to have same-sex couples marry under her willow trees.

I know that I personally find it quite ironic that a nation which was condemned for its hostile human rights and civil rights issues for decades so quickly has resolved to create the ultimate equality for gays and lesbians....

Yet, the United States, which prides itself on freedom, equality and opportunity continues to marginalize the GLBT communities and other citizens as well...

South Africa, jy sprei my vlerke, lekker peeps

Yes, I found them to be the opposite of the U.S. In South Africa, homosexuality did seem to me to be still taboo. I met 45 year old single men who were closeted and worried that co-workers know that they're gay. Yet their Constitution protects them from discrimination.

In the U.S., it seems gays are more culturally accepted for the most part (are some guys still in the closet?), yet we're passing laws and amendments to make sure gays don't get equal status.

Baffling.

I think this is a tremendous move, by any measures. South Africa is set to join Canada, Belgium, Spain, and next year the UK (George Michael's getting hitched, you know!) in legalizing gay marriage, and given that it had one of the worst, most brutal racist records of any country in the 20th century, this is quite a dramatic turn of events. I also will never forget Nelson Mandela speaking proudly of how his country's constitution protected gay rights, actually putting it out in front of many local attitudes (among the whites, blacks and "coloreds" there).

But South Africa's gay infrastructure keeps growing, and I really want to visit, perhaps even next year. A good friend's father was one of the first Black Americans to set up a business there after the fall of apartheid.

Hey ATL Sport....I have noticed the same thing in South Africa (of course) and also on my recent trip to Argentina. In those countries, gays have more legal rights by the government, but very little acceptance by society. As a result, most gays stay closeted and try their best to maintain the expected/accepted macho role in society. But in the USA, its pretty much the reverse with little legal benefits despite the wider social acceptance. A lot of this probably has to do with politics and a certain political party that uses gay issues to manipulate voters with fear--while the second party doesn't have the backbone to take a stand in our favor.

[ March 15, 2006, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: swiminbuff ]