South Africa and Same-Sex Unions

The following is from Alexandra Zavis, South African Court Affirms Gay Marriage, Newsday.com, Dec. 1, 2005:

South Africa’s highest court ruled in favor of gay marriage Thursday, a landmark decision that clears the way for the country to become the first to legalize same-sex unions on a continent where homosexuality remains largely taboo.

The decision does not take immediate effect, however. The Constitutional Court, which decided it is unconstitutional to prohibit gays from marrying, gave Parliament a year to make the necessary legal changes. That disappointed gay rights activists, some of whom have been waiting years to wed.