Breaking news from South Africa: the Supreme Court of Appeal there has just ruled in favor of ending discrimination in marriage. The ruling was 4 – 1. Money quote:
“In terms of sections 8(3), 39(2) and 173 of the Constitution, the common law concept of marriage is developed to embrace same-sex partners as follows: ‘Marriage is the union of two persons to the exclusion of all others for life.'”
The decision could, in theory, be appealed to the Constitutional Court, which would have the final say, but they are considered likely to rule in favor of equality as well. The opinion, by the way, was written by the Honorable Edwin Cameron, an openly gay (and openly HIV-positive) judge on the court. I don’t have a link yet, but will post one as soon as I do. Canada, Belgium, Holland, South Africa are now lining up behind equality. Britain has just passed a bill guaranteeing all marital rights to gay couples under the rubric of “civil partnership.” Spain’s ruling in favor of full marriage rights is looming. In Massachusetts, it looks as if marriage equality is here to stay.
The Dish 