South Africa one
step closer to civil unions

A vote in favor of the concept of same-sex marriage by South Africa's ruling African National Congress has all but assured that a civil union bill will become law. The bill has received a cool reception from the people of South Africa, but the ANC is now officially supporting it, reports E-Brief News.

The ANC has a two-thirds majority in parliament but is deeply divided on the issue of same-sex marriage. The civil union bill was introduced after South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled a ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

There have been suggestions from some ANC MPs that they should be given a free vote when the bill comes before the National Assembly. Ordinary South Africans, meanwhile, have already largely rejected the bill. Parliament's home affairs committee has conducted a series of meetings around the country to gauge people's reaction to the proposed law. (The Advocate)