The South African Parliament has legalized the gay marriages in the country.

In deeply conservative continent, Africa, homosexuality is completely banned but South Africa has become the first nation in the continent to do so. The parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of the gay marriage with 230 to 41. The bill would meet the terms with a Constitutional Court ruling in December 2005.

South Africa earlier had recognized the rights of gay people 1994. It was the first country, which prohibited any discrimination because of sexual orientation.

Before tabling the bill, there were months of heated public discussions in the country.

The bill is being seen as necessary for extending basic freedoms to everyone in the country.

According to the Home Affairs Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, we had an unjust painful past. Now we would not have any discrimination because of color, creed, culture and sex as well.

However, the voice of angers also coming out from several parts of the country. Kenneth Meshoe, Christian lawmaker, said that this was the saddest day in our 12 years of democracy. He said further that South Africa is provoking God’s anger.

Homosexuality is illegal in several African countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana. Gay men and lesbians often attacked even in South Africa most of the times.

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