Current Version
| Region | South Africa |
| Issue | Same-sex marriage |
| Status | Legal |
| Start Date | Nov 30, 2006 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | The Civil Union Act, 2006, (Act No. 17 of 2006) legalised same-sex marriage. It allows two people, regardless of gender, to form either a marriage or a civil partnership. Section 6 of the law allowed individual marriage officers to refuse to perform same-sex marriages on the grounds of their personal beliefs. This section was repealed with effect from 22 October 2020 by the Civil Union Amendment Act, 2020 (Act No. 8 of 2020). |
| Sources | https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15714036 https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/national-assembly-passes-civil-union-amendment-bill https://www.barnaschone.co.za/marriage-officers-no-longer-allowed-to-object-to-same-sex-marriages/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Section%206%20of%20the,morals%20when%20performing%20their%20duties. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Civil_Union_Act,_2006 https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Civil_Union_Amendment_Act,_2020 |
Revision History (6)
edited by ctnguy. explain 2020 amendment that removed the conscience exemption for marriage officers
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| Description | In 2006, South Africa passed a landmark bill, legalising same-sex marriage and becoming the first African country to do so. However, the law (Section 6 of the Civil Union Act) allows marriage officers to refuse to perform such marriages under personal morals exceptions. The marriage being same-sex is permitted as a sole reason for obejction. | The Civil Union Act, 2006, (Act No. 17 of 2006) legalised same-sex marriage. It allows two people, regardless of gender, to form either a marriage or a civil partnership. Section 6 of the law allowed individual marriage officers to refuse to perform same-sex marriages on the grounds of their personal beliefs. This section was repealed with effect from 22 October 2020 by the Civil Union Amendment Act, 2020 (Act No. 8 of 2020). |
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| Sources | https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15714036 https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/national-assembly-passes-civil-union-amendment-bill https://www.barnaschone.co.za/marriage-officers-no-longer-allowed-to-object-to-same-sex-marriages/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Section%206%20of%20the,morals%20when%20performing%20their%20duties. | https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15714036 https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/national-assembly-passes-civil-union-amendment-bill https://www.barnaschone.co.za/marriage-officers-no-longer-allowed-to-object-to-same-sex-marriages/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Section%206%20of%20the,morals%20when%20performing%20their%20duties. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Civil_Union_Act,_2006 https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Civil_Union_Amendment_Act,_2020 |
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edited by jadeywadey. bad/misleading phrasing and wording
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| Description | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020, there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. South Africa was the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, and remains the only African country to have enacted such rights. | In 2006, South Africa passed a landmark bill, legalising same-sex marriage and becoming the first African country to do so. However, the law (Section 6 of the Civil Union Act) allows marriage officers to refuse to perform such marriages under personal morals exceptions. The marriage being same-sex is permitted as a sole reason for obejction. |
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edited by Doomdorm64. Tweaking description
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| Description | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020, there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. South Africa was the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020, there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. South Africa was the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage, and remains the only African country to have enacted such rights. |
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edited by Doomdorm64. In line with other descriptions
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| Description | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020 there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020, there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. South Africa was the fifth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. |
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edited by qcksws. Added more sources, the original one was broken, added a description, bill has been updated since 2020
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| Description | As of 2006, South Africa made it legal to have a gay marriage as well as any other form of marriage in the act. As of 2020 there was an amendment to the bill, stating that same-sex marriage is a sole reason to get married. | |
| Sources | http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=67843 | https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna15714036 https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/national-assembly-passes-civil-union-amendment-bill https://www.barnaschone.co.za/marriage-officers-no-longer-allowed-to-object-to-same-sex-marriages/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20Section%206%20of%20the,morals%20when%20performing%20their%20duties. |
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| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Legal |
| Start Date | Nov 30, 2006 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | (empty) |
| Sources | http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=67843 |
Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "Not opening"