Same-sex Bill gets Parliament go-ahead

Parliament on Tuesday approved the controversial Civil Unions Bill, which provides for same-sex marriage, making South Africa the first African country to do so and one of only a few in the world. The Bill received 230 votes in its favour and 41 votes against it. There were three abstentions. The measure was opposed by almost all opposition parties, bar the Democratic Alliance (DA), which allowed its members a free vote on the issue. The Bill provides for opposite-sex and same-sex couples of 18 years or older to solemnise and register a voluntary union, either by marriage or civil partnership. Same-sex couples can be married by civil marriage officers and such religious marriage officers who consider such marriages not to fall outside the tenets of their religion.