Same-sex marriage in South Africa

Same-sex marriage

Recognised nationwide in:

Belgium

Netherlands

Recognised in some regions in:

Canada (Ont, Que, B.C, Y.T)

United States (Massachusetts)

Other countries:

Australia

France

South Africa

Spain

See also

Civil union

Domestic partnership

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In July of 2002 the High Court of South Africa in Bloemfontein ruled that to deny same-sex couples the right to marry equally is discriminatory and thus unconstitutional. Certain benefits have since been extended to same-sex couples in South Africa, once the most restricted society in all of Africa.

This ruling has been met with mixed feelings and much opposition. Many white South Africans, particularly Afrikaners, are very conservative on social issues. In addition, indigenous African societies tend to view homosexuality as associated with ukuthakatha (witchcraft).

It is not certain that there are any plans to actually extend the status of marriage to same-sex couples in South Africa.