Religious marriage officers and magistrates will now have to wed same-sex couples in South Africa, even if they disagree with marriage equality.
The country’s Civil Union Act previously had a ‘conscientious objection clause’. It allowed officials to opt out of registering same-sex marriages if it went against their religious or personal beliefs.
But now the National Council of Provinces, South Africa’s senate, has removed the opt-out. The bill will now become law, assuming President Cyril Ramaphosa signs it.
LGBT+ South Africans have heralded the victory, including people of faith. Reverend Ecclesia de Lange from Inclusive and Affirming Ministries said: ‘It’s a positive step in the right direction to ensure equal rights for all people,