Gay Marriage Hearings Begin In South Africa

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/09/092006saf.htm

The South African government began public hearings Wednesday on legislation that would allow same-sex couples for marry as opposition from gays and church groups grew.

At hearings in White City in Soweto the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Community Organization told the parliamentary commission that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right but criticized the legislation because it gives the appearance of separate but equal.

The concerns were echoed by other LGBT organizations who says that rather than bringing in a separate law to deal with same-sex couples that would also give rights to non-married gay and straight couples the government is creating two classes.

The groups are calling for the bill, titled the Civil Union Act, which would govern civil marriage and cohabitation, to be dropped and that the existing Marriage Act which defines marriage as between a man and a woman to be amended to be gender neutral.