Entry #29: Same-sex marriage in South Africa

Current Version

Region	South Africa
Issue	Same-sex marriage
Status	Legal
Start Date	Nov 30, 2006
End Date	(none)
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.
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.

Mar 23, 2025

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value (Current)
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.
Description	Show Difference 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.

Jul 12, 2024

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
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.
Description	Show Difference 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. marriage, and remains the only African country to have enacted such rights.

Apr 5, 2024

Helpful?

	Old Value	New Value
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.
Description	Show Difference 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. 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.

Oct 29, 2023

Helpful?

	Old Value (Original)	New Value
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.
Sources	Show Difference 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.

Aug 18, 2013

Helpful?

	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"
Jul 4, 2021