South Africa Legalizes Gay Marriage

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA -- South Africa became the fifth country in the world to legalize gay marriage Tuesday, when the National Assembly voted 230 to 41 to remove language in the a proposed law which created separate categories for same and opposite sex unions, 365gay.com reports.

The government had originally proposed to only allow civil unions for same-sex couples but gay rights groups faired that such a measure would have been challenged in the Constitutional Court for creating a "separate but equal" status.

Gay groups are somewhat disappointed that the new law contains a provision that allows churches to refuse to perform same-sex marriage, but are still very satisfied with the law.

"In large part, the Act signals a rejection of previous attempts to render lesbian and gay people as second-class citizens. It demonstrates powerfully the commitment of our law-makers to ensuring that all human beings are treated with dignity," said Fikile Vilakazi, a spokesperson for 17 LGBT groups.