South Africa gays get equal marital status

The African National Congress, which controls the presidency and more than two thirds of Parliament's seats, was silent on the court's decision.

The Constitutional Court's decision expanded on a 2004 ruling by the national Supreme Court of Appeal that affirmed the marriage of a lesbian couple, who were nonetheless unable to register their union with the government's Home Affairs department.

The government had appealed the ruling, arguing that the Supreme Court had encroached on Parliament's authority to make laws

But the Constitutional Court said that the refusal to give legal status to gay marriages, though grounded in common law, violated the constitution's guarantee of equal rights. The justices said that marriage laws must be amended to include the words "or spouse" alongside provisions that now refer to husbands and wives
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/12/01/news/saf.php

Well I guess South Africa is the winner to be first. This thread should prove to be interesting! :rasta:

Good for South Africa. Are they the first though? Isn't gay marriage also legal in Canada? Anyhow, how long do you think it will be before Torog posts something about how they will all burn in hell and as a "Christian country" we should now start boycotting S. Africa??