Parliamentary
committee in South Africa delays decision on civil unions

A key parliamentary committee in South Africa on Friday delayed a decision on proposed legislation to enshrine same-sex partnerships in the law to give more time for discussion of the measure. The Home Affairs Portfolio Committee said it now planned to vote on the legislation Tuesday or Wednesday. The Civil Unions Bill was introduced to comply with a constitutional court ruling that the government must accord gay couples the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples. The government has until December 1 to comply. South Africa would be the first African nation to recognize the equality of gay couples on a continent where homosexuality is taboo. Conservatives and traditional leaders have criticized the proposed legislation as undermining South Africa's cultural traditions. Even many lawmakers of the ruling African National Congress say they have deep reservations about the bill. Gay activists and human rights advocates say the bill does not go far enough because it defines "civil unions" as the "voluntary union between two adult persons of the same sex to the exclusion, while it lasts, of all others." Lesbian and gay couples would continue to be barred from full marriage. The Cabinet approved the bill earlier this year. If approved by the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, the bill will go to the full parliament. (AP)