S African committee approves gay marriage
Copromise: If successful, the Civil Unions Bill will make the nation the first to legalize same-sex marriages in a continent where homosexuality is largely outlawed
AP, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, Nov 11, 2006

A key parliamentary committee approved proposals for same-sex marriages in South Africa on Thursday, clearing the way for the passage of legislation that would be unique on a deeply conservative continent.

But a compromise thrashed out after months of heated public discussion upset religious groups and traditionalists and left even some members of the governing African National Congress (ANC) uneasy, while gay rights activists said it didn't go far enough.

"It's been a very difficult time. It was a major challenge," said Patrick Chauke, chairman of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee, which spent weeks touring the country to gauge public opinion and received nearly 6,000 written comments.

The Civil Unions Bill will now go to a full session of parliament on Tuesday. Despite unhappiness in ANC ranks, it is expected to pass as lawmakers have been ordered to follow the party line and told there is little room for maneuver. the rest