under way
Matthew Krouse
There were many more brides than usual at the gay pride march this year. As the procession wound its way through Berea, five young men in white satin gowns were spotted reclining on the steps of a synagogue. Their faces masked by veils, they chatted while nursing tired feet that had been slipped out of delicate heels.
The abundance of marriage garb was no coincidence. Rather, it signalled a concerted effort on the part of the gay community to make it known that the fight to have gay civil unions recognised is under way.
Organisers of last Saturday’s gay pride march have estimated that the gathering – the largest in South Africa to date – attracted more than 10 000 people.
Representatives of the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality are using this figure to prove that there is overwhelming support for the campaign to legalise gay and lesbian marriage.
Employing the slogan “Recognise our relationships”, activists hope to send a message to the South African Law Commission which is currently reviewing the marriage Act.
The coalition’s magazine, Equality, which was distributed at the carnival after the march, carried a poignant letter from a woman in Athlone, congratulating President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his marriage to Graa Machel.
She wrote: “The priest in my church always says that procreation is the reason for marriage. This shows that he is wrong. President Mandela and Mrs Machel married because of romance, love and companionship, not procreation. These are some of the reasons lesbian and gay people want equal right to civil marriage.”
The coalition resolved earlier this year to campaign to educate social, religious and political groups who may be prejudiced against the formalising of gay and lesbian ties.
The issue comes before the law commission at the same time as the drive to have traditional African, Muslim and Hindu marriages afforded full recognition before the law. Ironically, these communities have denied recognition to gay relationships.
The coalition is hoping the revised marriage Act will give gay men and lesbians equality with their heterosexual partners in immigration rights, custody rights for children, testamentary rights and equal access to medical aid.
Gay activists around the world are campaigning on this issue too. On October 9, the French Parliament will hold a debate about civil unions for gay men and lesbians that could change the destiny of thousands of their citizens too.