Gay marriages bill approved

[xtermin8or]

Cabinet discussed the Civil Unions Bill which will be tabled in Parliament shortly. This Bill takes into account the Constitutional Court judgment which found that the common law definition of marriage in the Marriage Act of 1961 was unconstitutional, insofar as it failed to give the same status, benefits and responsibilities to same-sex unions that marriage accorded to heterosexual couples. The Bill also provides for the recognition of domestic partnerships between adults, whether same or different sex, who had not concluded a marriage or civil partnership. The legal consequences of such a partnership will be spelled out and recognized in law once the Bill is passed by Parliament. Cabinet noted that this Bill was likely to generate a lot of public debate but at the end of the day, the decision of the Constitutional Court must be respected by everyone.

--from cabinet statement----

no comment - for information purposes only

 

[GavinMannion]

I can't believe they never where allowed to.

Finally logic shines through

 

[Kasyx]

I agree. A good step in the right direction for SA.

 

[AntiThesis]

As far as I'm concerned you can marry a toaster if you so wish.

 

[noxibox]

If this is a proper recognition, i.e. there is no legal distinction between homosexual and heterosexual marriages, then this is a major step forward, and puts us way ahead of many other countries.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

At last I can listen to the radio without the frikken' Gay and Lesbian Alliance talking about how they're discriminated against. Of course, like most activist organizations, they are rather hypocritical (i.e. there's this one place, a lodge I think, that has a "GAYS ONLY" sign yet imagine the uproar if a sign said "gays excluded).

 

[Nanfeishen]

Lets call it "The Pink Bill" and then change the song title to Y. A.N.C.

 

[Piesang]

I can't comment on this. All I can say is that it is ridiculous.

 

[MaD]

Very progressive, thumbs up.

There will of course be an outcry from people who area against same-sex marriages but that's their problem unfortunately.

As a straight guy I see no problem with the bill at all, about time in fact

 

[lilDeath]

There goes the neighbourhood

 

[|tera|]

There goes the neighbourhood

Watch out bru, you may be getting requests for a mergerrrr I'm opposed to it, shoot me!

 

[kilps]

Naturally we will see an outcry from the [Roman] Catholic Church about this (judging about what they have doing in Europe...) - but it does show that South Africa is recognising the individuals rights.

I must say that I am glad that same-sex marriages have been called 'civil-unions' - not to discriminate, but marriage to me will always be between the opposite sexes ...

 

[lilDeath]

I must say that I am glad that same-sex marriages have been called 'civil-unions' - not to discriminate, but marriage to me will always be between the opposite sexes ...

Hell yeah!!
The opposites 'fit' perfectly

 

[Dave A]

I can't comment on this. All I can say is that it is ridiculous.

ROFLMAO

 

[bwana]

Everyone deserves an equal right to suffer

 

[Highflyer_GP]

Very good news and a step forward for equality.

Just one confusing thing - if there is indeed no differentiation between homosexual and heterosexual marriages, then who gets the title of Mr/Mrs?

 

[BOREDOFTELKOM]

Where is the future?!

Marriage should be between a man and a woman, not a man & man or woman & woman, it is not fair(concerning offspring)! other than that gay people are alright, only my opinion.

 

[kilps]

The only thing I just thought of is does this bill give same-sex couples the right to adopt children?

 

[BCO]

pretty sure it does.

good step forward here.

 

[kilo39]

The only thing I just thought of is does this bill give same-sex couples the right to adopt children?

I know gay couples who already have adopted children - lots of parentless children out there due to the progressive policies of our aids centric government.