The Civil Union Act entered into force on the eve of a Dec. 1 deadline set by the Constitutional Court for the government to change its marriage legislation to ensure full equality for gays and lesbians.

Gay rights groups have welcomed the law, although they criticized provisions allowing clergy and civil marriage officers to turn away gay couples if their consciences prevented them from marrying them.

Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka signed the law as acting president because President Thabo Mbeki was in Nigeria.

South Africa recognized the rights of gay people in the constitution adopted after apartheid ended in 1994, at a time when leaders were determined to bury all legal discrimination.

The Japan Times Weekly: Dec. 9, 2006
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