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S Africa set to back gay weddings S Africa approves same-sex unions
(about 1 hour later)
South Africa's parliament is expected to approve plans to legalise same-sex weddings. South Africa's parliament has voted in favour of plans to legalise same-sex weddings - the first African country to approve such unions.
South Africa would become the first African country to approve such unions. The controversial Civil Union bill was passed by 230 votes to 41.
The Civil Unions Bill was introduced after the Constitutional Court ruled last year that the existing laws discriminated against homosexuals. The legislation was introduced after the Constitutional Court ruled last year that the existing laws discriminated against homosexuals.
The ruling ANC has ordered all MPs to vote in favour of the bill, despite the fierce opposition of church and traditional leaders. The ruling ANC ordered all MPs to back the bill, despite the opposition of church and traditional leaders.
The bill provides for the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union".The bill provides for the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union".
The existing Marriage Act defines a marriage as a "union between a man and a woman".The existing Marriage Act defines a marriage as a "union between a man and a woman".
Three-line whipThree-line whip
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, President of the South African Catholic Bishop's Conference, said the bill would be a blow against democracy. Prior to the vote, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, president of the South African Catholic Bishop's Conference, said the bill would be a blow against democracy.
"The impression we got is that there is overwhelming opposition to this bill from people throughout South Africa," he told South Africa's Daily News."The impression we got is that there is overwhelming opposition to this bill from people throughout South Africa," he told South Africa's Daily News.
"If the bill is passed then it means that the overwhelming voice of the people of the country is not being taken into account, in which case, it would be a great disappointment for our democracy."
However, some gay rights activists have also criticised the bill, because it gives officials the right not to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies if this would conflict with their "conscience, religion and belief".However, some gay rights activists have also criticised the bill, because it gives officials the right not to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies if this would conflict with their "conscience, religion and belief".
In the face of such strong feelings, the ANC has issued a three-line whip, instructing all MPs to vote in favour of the bill. In the face of such strong feelings, the ANC had issued a three-line whip, instructing all MPs to vote in favour of the bill.
The ANC has a huge majority in parliament.The ANC has a huge majority in parliament.
Last year, the Constitutional Court gave the government until 1 December 2006 to legalise same-sex weddings, after gay rights activists took the issue to court.Last year, the Constitutional Court gave the government until 1 December 2006 to legalise same-sex weddings, after gay rights activists took the issue to court.
The ruling was based on the constitution, which was the first in the world specifically to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference.The ruling was based on the constitution, which was the first in the world specifically to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual preference.