Citizen Online
Thursday, November 16, 2006
JOHANNESBURG - Lindiwe Radebe and Bathini Dambuza from Soweto hope to be among the first gay people to take advantage of the Civil Unions Bill passed by the National Assembly yesterday, recognising gay unions.
The Bill is a first for a continent where homosexuality is largely taboo, and the two women are proud of South Africa's broad-minded constitution that has ensured their relationship will be made legal.
"It is something big for us to get this recognition. I think we are very fortunate," Radebe said.
South Africa in 1996 was the first country to adopt a constitution that protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation and the country has an active and open gay community.
But legal protection does not guarantee acceptance or tolerance, especially for gay black men and women. The reality is often loneliness, fear, rape, violence and sometimes even murder.
So Radebe and Dambuza know not to expect same-sex marriages to be easily accepted by more conservative sectors of society.
"Now the struggle will begin. Now you will hear all sorts of remarks," said Radebe.
"We have always had to fight. But people will have to get used to it," Dambuza said.
While the couple haven't set a date yet and are unlikely to opt for an old-fashioned white wedding, they are full of talk about their plans.
"We want it to be a big party," said Dambuza, adding that they expect to see a number of their gay friends also get married.
The couple are also keen to have children and hope that by getting married it will be easier to adopt or become parents.
They also want the legal protection it will give each other in case of emergency.
"Imagine if something happens to one of us and your family come and take all that we have worked for. It is important for us to have that security," Radebe said. - Sapa-AP.