EDITORIAL: GAY MARRIAGES NIXED?
According to an article in the Sunday Times this weekend, the South African government has caved in to religious conservatives and nixed the idea of same-sex marriage, opting for watered-down ‘civil unions’ instead.
This means that gays and lesbians will not be able to marry in the same way that heterosexual couples do, although they may have similar rights to these couples.
The move comes as a surprise to activists and ordinary lesbians and gays who had expected the government to alter the existing Marriage Act to allow for same-sex couples to marry under that act by the end of the year.
Instead, the government – under pressure from religious and political conservatives – will shortly table a bill to parliament which is aimed at creating laws that will allow for civil unions for same-sex couples. These civil unions will grant these couples the same or similar rights to those held by married couples.
The news contradicts a statement on 24 August by Government spokesman Themba Maseko, who said that, “Basically (the bill) will legalise same-sex marriage in compliance with the constitutional court ruling”.
While the expected change to the Marriage Act would not have compelled any religious institution to perform same-sex marriages if it chose not to, the legalisation of same-sex marriage has consistently come under fire by conservative and religious groups. The Sunday Times quoted a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson as saying that the change in strategy was made due to “response to pressure from church, traditional and other conservative leaders”.
A group called the Marriage Alliance has strongly opposed same-sex marriage and is organising protest marches around the country on the 16th of September. The marches are set to take place in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Dawie Nel from Pretoria based LGBTI activist group OUT, says that the concept of civil unions does “extend legal protection to the community but it doesn’t go far enough.” He says that there are specific items in the draft bill, which has not yet been made public, that are problematic.
While the bill might appear to be a reasonable compromise to many, it blatantly contradicts the spirit of the Constitutional Court judgment last year which compelled the government to legalise same-sex marriage by the end of the year.
We should not accept remaining second class citizens to appease religious interests and institutionalised bigotry
“Marriage does have a certain higher status in society in terms of validation to a relationship,” says Nel, adding that the proposed bill classifies gays and lesbians as “second class citizens”. This is perhaps the most offensive aspect of the bill.
The bill is demeaning to gays and lesbian, says Nel, – leading to an “us and them” status quo – implying that this community’s relationships are still not equal enough to be classified as marriage. Some activists have even compared it to the Apartheid system which sought to create separate – supposedly equal – systems of life according to race. They have also questioned the constitutionality of the move. In fact it seems likely that should the bill become law, it would be challenged in the Constitutional Court.
The bill is in draft form, but is expected to go before parliament in about two weeks. The Department of Home Affairs says that when the bill is made public, interested parties will then have an opportunity to comment on it.
OUT says that it is working on a comprehensive public submission, and expects others that form part of the Joint Working Group (JWG) – a coalition of South African LGBTI activist and support groups – to do the same. “We will oppose it”, says Nel.
The JWG will shortly be launching a letter-writing and petition campaign for members of the community to actively play a role in challenging the new bill. The campaign will provide the key points as to why the bill should be rejected. (Click here for more information on how you can play a part in this campaign.)
Nel also revealed that a protest and picketing outside parliament is being planned, as is the possibility of using this year’s Joburg Pride – scheduled for September 30 – as a platform for opposition of the bill.
Mambaonline is committed to seeing the legalisation of same-sex marriage in South Africa and rejects the proposed civil-union bill as insulting to this country’s gays and lesbians. We find it hypocritical that a government that was born out of the struggle against Apartheid should seek to impose a similarly-conceived relationship framework for our community.
The government has made a mockery of its principles and the constitution through this action. We should not accept remaining second class citizens to appease religious interests and institutionalised bigotry; that after all is the promise of our constitution. This right to equality – about which we have become increasingly complacent – appears to be one that we will have to continue to fight for.
To view the proposed bill, click here (PDF document).
This is very sad . Well seems like the so called Government is still run by religious fanatics, who still believe the human rights are only afforded to those who live in accordance the Bible. The rest of course should burn in hell.
Forgive those harsh words; I have very keen interest in Spirituality / Religion. It is interesting to note that the most resent faiths, that being Judaism, Christianity and Islam are the only ones that condemns Homosexuality.. of course they are also the root of most of the problems that we are currently facing.
If the Government is going to be unbiased is should not be dictated to by the Church. This is not about religious sanctimonious bullshit, this is about the right to be treated as equals, to take a partner of your choice and be given that right to wed as all others do.
But…
I keep on reading the comments and the general consensus seems to be that Government is supposed to be “Unbiast” (as mentioned in numerous remarks). But isn’t government doing exactly what it’s supposed to do?
By its mere definition, government is formed by the people, voted for and instituted by the majority and governed by ranks from which it was formed?
The Constitution guides the government and the people it serves. It does not however, rule them.
We complain that the proposed bill does not offer us the equal standing of our heterosexual equals.
Agreed. But government is doing exactly as it is supposed to: It is being guided by the majority consensus. All this shows is that our voices and votes are outweighed by that of say the religious Left.
And here we are all to blame. Simply because of our complete disregard to actively participate in local and provincial elections or even to present a united front, our “wants” are considered to be less important than that of our fellow countrymen.
You want to stand in the front of the church next to your same sex partner and say: ‘I Do’? Then don’t just rest with a constitutional court ruling. Influence the ‘interpreters’ of the ruling: The Government.
I remind you not to get “Nice” and “Right” confused. It might not be “nice” to be considered inferiour by our fellows, but that does not make it “Wrong” or “Right”. It does make it fair-political-play though…
Um, well … life still goes on!
No use getting all upset, yes? fu&kers 🙂
respect. I’m about to “marry” my South African partner under English Law: also a civil partnership arrangement. I think it’s a very clever piece of legislation: giving equality in terms of legal rights to gay partnerships and respecting the religious beliefs of an equally large group of religious people. I don’t feel second class, any more than someone marrying in a civil ceremony should feel second class to some who has a church wedding!
Not England. Point taken.
But this is not ENGLAND. And neither do we bow B4 the Queens.
one step forward…. I think we should be realistic:
In our country, homosexuality will never be accepted by main stream society; the question is merely to what degree it will be tolerated.
If we want our rights to be recognised, we have to fight for them. Obtaining the right to conclude a legally binding civil union – however insulting that may seem – is a step forward. If we want to take the next step forward, we will have to fight for that too. And the next and the next.
And one day when we have reached the ultimate goal of perceived equality, we will probably have to fight even harder to hold on to that status.
So let’s box on!! (At least fighting and bitching and arguing is the one thing that comes naturally to us all…) But along the way, let’s not forget how far we’ve come!! Afterall, was it not for the new “so-called government”, we would still be persecuted for giving our boyfriend one up the rear…
Mariage. Religious leaders should not cy to the government; if the leaders do not wish to perform a wedding ceremony, it is their right. Similarly, if we want to get married, in the orthodox way, we should, with no politicians or religious leaders intervening. God, I have the hold religion has on the state….
I wont simply submit… Im shocked to hear that such steps are being taken to block a right we are all entitled to.
Especially since i have defended my country
claiming it is a fairer country, newly founded on equality.
I live in the UK, and find many people here are willing to settle for “Civil Partnerships” the similarly “newly” proposed piece of legislation to replace the previously anticpated right to marriage.
I however am not willing to settle, and now feel embarrassed to call South Africa my home
after sharing the great news “that is no-more” released when the south african High court ordered a review of the marriage constitution.
And
Sorry, BUT i have to say it…
Why are so many of you, who have also laid your comments here willing to settle…
I was supossedly born free…I have the right to Freedom..The right to be seen as an Equal…
Regardless of the feelings of certain individuals…
I shall not be a second class citizn,forced into submission by ruthless individuals who destroy and persecute me for my differences.
If anything my anger simply makes me want to have the new south africa recognised as Hypocrytical, clearly no different from the old south africa.
And NO i dont feel im being overly sensitive
because as is it was with all un-equal social groups
it starts with little things being taken away from us.
The difference is the LGBTI community walked in with already far less.
I will be flying to South Africa on the 7th of September, and after reading this article feel disgusted that I have called it HOME…
I am clearly not welcome at home.
TOTALLY agree with u!
We Wont Accept It. . We Wont Accept It.
Typical, but a slap in the face
Same thing. Civil Union is as good as marriage – nobody will stop me from having my ceremony the way I see fit. The rest is a legal thing anyway (like all other marriages). At least now I can have the legal rights like everyone else and have a ceremony if I want it.
!!!. I know this is pessimistic of me, but i new it would happen. it’s no surprise to me. this government sucks. i’m pretty embarrassed! we’ll never get what we want…what we need.
Well, well, well!. Let’s wait and see what happens… It is true, we (as a gay community) has come a long way in the last 10 years. I trust the gov. will do what they see fit and just! We should not make a spectical out of this whole thing (the way the str8 community has come to know us… a bunch of queens with dresses and feathers!) Let’s take this thing in our stride and so respect you other members of our country. The only way to be a 2nd class citizen, is if you see yourself as one!!!
So, lift your heads, tug in your tummies and let’s wait and see what the gov. has to offer!
I agree with the last comment. Marriage isn’t the answer to being elevated from a second class citizen … the way you see yourself is the key.
So what if we can’t be legally married? Most of these marriages end in divorce anyway …
If you truly love someone … do you need a piece of paper to prove it? The whole debate seems to be about estate inheritance anyways and there are
a million ways of getting around that …
Now who’s discriminating?!?!?!?!?!?!?!. We as a subculture are discriminated against enough without having to face bigotry from within like yours “Just Me”. Let’s not forget that if a “bunch of queens with dresses and feathers” hadn’t stood their ground at Stonewall, gay people wouldn’t have come nearly as far as what we have! I, for one, can do without your negative comments towards those of us who enjoy drag and view it as an art form. Kindly keep your negative comments under your hat and away from a public forum such as this!!!
Attitude. A wait and see attitude will bring us NOWHERE. Secondly, trust nobody (up there) in the circus to decide FOR you, become PART of the process so that you DON’T COMPLAIN afterwards!
This is preposterous. How can the goverment do this to us???? They are supposed to a unbiased descion… Where did that go?? Have the religious groups and conservatives made their way into our constitution? If so, we as the GLBT community must make a stand against this. We dont live in Apartheid though this country is beggining to make it feel that way.
There are people that i know that have been going out for 15years and all they want do is to get married.
The new CIVIL UNION Act is *&%$%# useless.
I have been going out with my BF for 2 and half years now and we so badly want get married.
Come on Guys and Girls and those in between stand up to this injustice…….
This is preposterous. How can the goverment do this to us???? They are supposed to a unbiased descion… Where did that go?? Have the religious groups and conservatives made their way into our constitution? If so, we as the GLBT community must make a stand against this. We dont live in Apartheid though this country is beggining to make it feel that way.
There are people that i know that have been going out for 15years and all they want do is to get married.
The new CIVIL UNION Act is *&%$%# useless.
I have been going out with my BF for 2 and half years now and we so badly want get married.
Come on Guys and Girls and those in between stand up to this injustice…….
This is preposterous. How can the goverment do this to us???? They are supposed to a unbiased descion… Where did that go?? Have the religious groups and conservatives made their way into our constitution? If so, we as the GLBT community must make a stand against this. We dont live in Apartheid though this country is beggining to make it feel that way.
There are people that i know that have been going out for 15years and all they want do is to get married.
The new CIVIL UNION Act is *&%$%# useless.
I have been going out with my BF for 2 and half years now and we so badly want get married.
Come on Guys and Girls and those in between stand up to this injustice…….
This is preposterous. How can the goverment do this to us???? They are supposed to a unbiased descion… Where did that go?? Have the religious groups and conservatives made their way into our constitution? If so, we as the GLBT community must make a stand against this. We dont live in Apartheid though this country is beggining to make it feel that way.
There are people that i know that have been going out for 15years and all they want do is to get married.
The new CIVIL UNION Act is *&%$%# useless.
I have been going out with my BF for 2 and half years now and we so badly want get married.
Come on Guys and Girls and those in between stand up to this injustice…….
This is preposterous. How can the goverment do this to us???? They are supposed to a unbiased descion… Where did that go?? Have the religious groups and conservatives made their way into our constitution? If so, we as the GLBT community must make a stand against this. We dont live in Apartheid though this country is beggining to make it feel that way.
There are people that i know that have been going out for 15years and all they want do is to get married.
The new CIVIL UNION Act is *&%$%# useless.
I have been going out with my BF for 2 and half years now and we so badly want get married.
Come on Guys and Girls and those in between stand up to this injustice…….
Civil Unions Bill- Keep Clear-Headed!. I think we should remain calm and clear-headed about this bill. I am not saying that we should not be vigilant in protecting out rights, but neither should we be alarmist! I have approached a Member of Parliament with me concerns and he she referred me to a Member of Parliament who happens to be gay- both seem to be in favour of the new law! I am corresponding with both MP’s and I am urging members of the gay and lesbian community to get hold of a copy of the bill and to voice their concerns- especially during the public hearings stage of the bill!
Civil Unions. Mm, i cant see a problem here. Marriage is a heterosexual institution. Whats so earth shatteringly unacceptable with having a unique institution for gays? (I’m probably gonna get blasted for this hehe)
Civil Unions. Mm, i cant see a problem here. Marriage is a heterosexual institution. Whats so earth shatteringly unacceptable with having a unique institution for gays? (I’m probably gonna get blasted for this hehe)
Marriage as a str8 Institution…. CaptainPlanet, you might have a point there! Only thing I am making is: legally we must be on equal footing! Sure civil unions might do that, but then there is the matter of perception that civil unions are less than marriage! But then again, maybe it is up to us to change that perception??!!!
I think that what pisses people off is the idea that it seems to convey of separate but equal? I don’t know…
It’s just funny how the conservatives are scrambling to ‘protect’ their little institution against us when they are doing a damn fine job of destroying it themselves!!! LOL
Anyhow, interesting debate, but also very personal as it affects all of us!
Civil Unions. The problem we hav in south africa,if i can put it in afrikaans…ons is hopeloos te gelykheidsbetotteld. Weens die verlede overcompensate die regering deur alle regte aan almal op gelyke voet te gee, en dit sal tot spanning ly, want nie almal dwing dieselfde respek af nie.
Yes, it is our issue to change the perception. Just look at Elton John and his partner. They couldn’t care less what the world thought, they regard their union as a marriage.
Gay Marriage. Whats in a name why not go the French way, a civil service is “legal” called a union and a religous servce is then a “marriage”.
So straight couples who tie the note via civil are in a union and anyone who follows up with a religous servie is a marriage done for religious reasons. this could apply to all mariages.
Relegious services are not legal unless you have a civil service first.
Gay Homeland. OK guys & girls.
The people for the Civil Union Bill please go and settle down in the To Be Proclaimed Gay Homeland and keep quiet.
And the rest who want EQUAL RIGHTS, please remain behind and keep the fire burning. We have not made the journey this far just to see that the river ends into a stagnant lagoon. We want the Ocean, just like the rest of them. No more and no less. With beach parties and the whole makhoya!
Real Makhoya!. YEBO! We want the Real Makhoya!!!
If it doesn’t say MARRIAGE, it ISN’T a MARRIAGE!
Don’t be fooled, just be prepared 2 stand up 4 your rights.
Not the same thing. They just change the colour of Parliament, not the thinking…
Different laws for the same thing in the 1960’s, registering and carrying a ‘pass’, allowing u certain priviledges, but not everything the same as for everyone else…
The struggle continues – Amandla Awhetu…
They must think we are braindead not to see right throught this…
You Go Girl!. You go girl! That is the spirit.
rights and equality. We fought long and hard for freedom in this country! Freedom of what? Freedom for who? What happened to the speech of Mandela where he said that no one should be discriminated against?
I agree with many who made the statements about the difference between marriage and civil unions being a matter of paper. But that choice should be extended to all. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander…right. Speaking of right. Politics and religion are two worlds apart. Yes the religious leaders have the right to voice their opinions and concerns, but they aren’t God, and someone should tell them. Politicians are leaders engaged in civil administration with power vested in them by the people of this country. Even the gay ones.
We all deserve the rights to equality, no matter what race, gender or creed.
Besides the attorneys would make a fortune with this new industry of divorce rates that will escalate. We should do things for the right reasons too people, not just be cause we feel we deserve the rights.
Any way, that is all just my opinion, which I suppose could also be debated to great length.
One Law 4 All. The only way the gay community will FULLY ACCEPT the Civil Union Bill, is if the present Marriage Act be SCRAPPED, all present (straight) marriages be declared NULL AND VOID, and the WHOLE of the country by subjected to the Civil Union Bill. (Yes, they would have to apply again to register then, JUST LIKE US.)
Quite simply, one law for all, or else we are being discriminated against!
RE: Here-Here. Here Here to that….
It’s a principle. It’s the principle. Cries of “Bring back the death penalty” are ignored by the govt because of the Constitution. Now the Constitution is being ignored in favour of the conservatives. I think homophobic comments and attitudes are still rife – nobody has yet been fined for calling somebody a f— fag. But call somebody a f—- k—- and there’s a penalty. Surely homophobia is a form of racism and needs to be”attacked” ? What good is the Constitution if this issue is fudged? Not to make waves does not mean that the LGBT community is being protected… this needs to have a commitment from the government, some of whom are uninformed and homophobic. Look at the AIDS debacle to see how out of touch the govt is. Principles rule.
Amen. Amen to that brother.
gay marriage. its time to STAND UP and protest!!! march on the government and demand our equality
Nothing Less. We will not settle for anything less than EQUALITY. And once we have EQUALITY, we will protect it with our LIVES.
same sex marriage. I wonder for what kind of freedom we have been fighting all those years of repression. Is there demogracy in this country or not?? Demogracy is freedom of choice and i want to choose to get marry to another man!!!(sorry if my english is not very clear, it is my second language)
Peter
Pure As Snow. Peter, true freedom is pure as snow, uncontaminated and it has an ability to SHOUT OUT LOUD when politicians want to sell you second best shop soiled merchandise.
So Small & So Strong. It is amazing how such a small minority like us gay people, can pose such a big “threat” to the community, through the eyes of those who does the same thing in the cover of darkness with their partners, without a cock crowing over it, ever. There is more of them straights walking around with the back door key in their pockets than you think!
I wonder which part of EQUAL don’t they understand?
Shame. I have been with my boyfriend for 10 yrs and truthfully I knew government where just trying to make us happy when they announced they would be looking into same sex marriages. We will always be discriminated against. Nobody sees us as people who are loving, committed, decent etc, etc all people see and are interested in is what we do in bed and that is just so sad. They can all go jump off the enarest F……n bridge. I’m sick of it.
Never Give Up. Dont give up Twin. We are making history. Stand firm for your rights and don’t settle for second best ever. Even if it takes generations, but we will get there. You are not alone. Let us join hands. We are a strong people. And we don’t take no 4 an answer.
RE: Agree again. I agree with Twin’s Friend… We haven;t gotten this far by just settling for second best.
Everything worthwile is worth fighting for… I do not accept the current bill and will never accept it until we can get married in the true sense of the word
Aere we stable enough?. I truly understand the fact that we would like to have the same rights apply in our relationships and the same recognitions in terms of the SA law. But to go as far as wanting “marriage” I’m not sure it’s all that beneficial for us. As far as I have oberved our community I battle to find couples that I can say are “stable”. Some of you may argu and say what would “stable” mean. Well I would define a “stable” relationship as a one that has both partners committed to each other and in the relationship, where both partners are always willing to tackle the challenges as part of the package, where both partners treat each other with respect and loving to each other. I could go on but I think I would fill this whole page, these are just a few of the most important factors that constitute a stable relationship.
Besides I think most of the charactorisitics that form a marriage are formed from a hectrosexual point of veiw and as far as that goes we should apply the same for ourselves. What works for a hetrosexual couple does not always work a homosexual couple. I would rather move away from the word “marriage” and call it a “union” of life partners. This is also because we have not had enough role models that not only the world but homosexual community can say have shown us that our relationships work when we put our all into them. To be honest how couples do each of us know that have been together for more than ten years? How many of us have in relationships that last to the extend that both parties agree to form a lifetime partnership with each other? Instead most of us want open relationships where there is “freedom of choice” by that I mean most of us want to do as many guys as we can and yet when we reach 30yr/old we want someone we can call our own…We are too fickle about things that don’t really matter. We are judgemental towards each and end up destrying our own all in the name of “glamour and fabulousness”. We need to be real and true to ourselves first before we can say to the world we are…We need to be work hard on our own individual stability and instill good human values in our community. We need to teach our own to self love regardless of money and things that remain just that, things. We need to love ourselves so we can love others and by then we will not need approval from the world. As it stands now in the world that we live in we do not have a voice and part of that is the division within. Unity is power. As we unite we need to make sure that we are heard throughout the globe and the only way to achieve that is through economical power…It’s not we do not have it, it’s just that we are not channeling our investments within the right departments. We’d rather splurge on Versace shirt than bank that money…We’d rather be seen as “powerful” with materials rather than investing in our dreams that will force the world to stand and say “you truly are a global citizen”. Our goal should be for the world to recognize us and our contributions and want in not the other way around as it is now. We are already worthy and a great people, we need to realize that and reflect that instead of refracting it.
I Disagree. I have been with my partner for ten years and we both know it’s for life. We do not have an “open relationship”, we are in a committed, stable relationship.
We the gay community do come across as promiscuous sluts but a lot of us are in very good monogamous relationships. It really bugs me that because of a few out there we are judged so harshly especially by the public in general.It angers me because I am more than the man who sleeps with another man. I am me, loving, caring, honest, devoted and committed to my partner.
Perhaps we should all strive to get the right message out there.Unite and be counted.
RE: Agree. I fully agree with you Twin…
Absolutely!!!. Im glad you raised your voice Twin. You are right in saying all you have…The challenge here is that we the gay community don’t enough of this how much more for the general public? They are only exposed to a part of the community and that is not reflective of thr real deal. We want to see more couples in public who are not ashamed of who they are and their relationships. We would be happy to see more people enjoying the same acknowledgement as any other couple…l think this would even go as far as making us feel validated and increasing the sense of selfworth within us…
Yes We Are. Black Pepper,
Don’t worry too much about the stability of our gay relationships. Mother Nature usually takes care of us. I am going for 9 years now with my present partner and it took me several 5 year relationships to get to this point. I have learned a lot during this time. It was not a waste of time. I don’t see myself or feel in any way like a slut.
Do not think for one moment that the heterosexual society in South Africa as a whole enjoys “stable” relationships! As far as I know, South Africa has one of the highest (if not the highest) divorce rates in the WORLD. Perhaps our straight counterparts are not so angelic after all and love to poke their naughty little noses around, to the detrement of their marriages, ultimately leading to South Africa’s Olympic divorce rate.
We drive cars on the same tarred road. We pay the same license fees. We pay the same taxes. We all have the right to vote. We all drink water. And we also do want the right to marry.
You see Black Pepper, even if this right of marriage is granted to us, and you personally don’t feel comfortable with it, you don’t have to make use of it. It is YOUR CHOICE.
The issue is about non-discrimination and equal rights here. Not about how you use your rights personally.
This is the beginning of great things…….must have been done long ago!!!!!!
But…. I keep on reading the comments and the general consensus seems to be that Government is supposed to be “Unbiast” (as mentioned in numerous remarks). But isn’t government doing exactly what it’s supposed to do?
By its mere definition, government is formed by the people, voted for and instituted by the majority and governed by ranks from which it was formed?
The Constitution guides the government and the people it serves. It does not however, rule them.
We complain that the proposed bill does not offer us the equal standing of our heterosexual equals.
Agreed. But government is doing exactly as it is supposed to: It is being guided by the majority consensus. All this shows is that our voices and votes are outweighed by that of say the religious Left.
And here we are all to blame. Simply because of our complete disregard to actively participate in local and provincial elections or even to present a united front, our “wants” are considered to be less important than that of our fellow countrymen.
You want to stand in the front of the church next to your same sex partner and say: ‘I Do’? Then don’t just rest with a constitutional court ruling. Influence the ‘interpreters’ of the ruling: The Government.
I remind you not to get “Nice” and “Right” confused. It might not be “nice” to be considered inferiour by our fellows, but that does not make it “Wrong” or “Right”. It does make it fair-political-play though…
Fair?. It may be fair political play to listen to the majority, however the constitution promises equality. Regardless of the majority. Or is it a case of some being more equal than others?
Whether marriage (or relationships for that matter) last or not in the gay community is besides the point – if you can afford a divorse after marriage, why not get married? I don’t believe in marriage, however I do believe in having the choice of marriage available to all.
Re: Fair. You make an excellent observation: The constitution does promise Equality to all regardless of sex or orientation.
However, the ‘promise’ of equality remains just that – a promise – simply because practical execution is not possible, or even viable.
Why?
Because the Practical Application of the constitution; the interpretation, is with government and its elected few. And because of the interpreted nature thereof does not necessarily serve both government and your expectations
It is exactly like Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’; ‘…all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others…’
As for your statement about divorce cost as consideration in marriage; a divorce can be done by yourself at a cost of less than a R1000 (I’m told) 🙂
Just keep in mind: There are far bigger players involved in this debate. Trade agreements with conservative (Muslim et al) nations as well as local government priorities (housing etc).
In closing: The constitution never said that it guarantees me (a gay male) the right to marry. Never clearly stated. Consider the section about discrimination in the workplace with the statement of equality and you will see that one is far more open to interpretation than the other.
Regards,
Brett