Sowetans oppose gay marriage bill

21 Sept 2006- South Africa- JOHANNESBURG – The community of Soweto, together with church and traditional leaders in the area, are opposed to the Civil Union Bill, likely to be passed as law before  1 December.

This became clear at a public hearing held at Ipelegeng Community Hall in White City Jabavu, Soweto, hosted by the department of Home Affairs.

“This will do South Africa harm and disgrace,” said Sekete Khanye of Christianity Leadership for Family Sustenance.

“Gays are taking advantage of the word ‘sexual orientation’ in the constitution. The use of this word was meant to refer to man and woman, not people engaging in sexual relations.”

Khanye said this was a constitutional defect that needed to be dealt with urgently.

The Constitutional Court ruled last year that the word marriage should be redefined to include same-sex couples and gave parliament one year to rectify the act.

Fikile Vilakazi of OUT said that while they welcomed the bill, it needed to be looked at thoroughly.

“Why does the bill provide for marriage officers’ ‘refusal to solemnise civil partnership?’” she asked.

The public hearings will proceed to the Northern Province tomorrow and other provinces later.

The hearings were attended by councillors, MPs, delegates from Marriage Alliance, NGOs and various youth organisations.

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