10 December 1996
South Africa's Constitution Bans Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Legal International
South Africa's new post-apartheid Constitution came into force, becoming the first in the world to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Section 9(3) of the Bill of Rights lists sexual orientation alongside race, gender, and religion as protected grounds. This was the result of deliberate advocacy by LGBTQ+ activists during the constitutional negotiations, supported by the ANC.
Impact & Significance
Set a global precedent as the first national constitution to protect sexual orientation, paving the way for South Africa to later legalise same-sex marriage in 2006.
Reference Record
- Date
- 10 December 1996
- Era
- 1990-1999
- Sources
- 1
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q When was same-sex marriage legalised in the UK? Same-sex marriage was legalised across the UK in stages, with England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reaching implementation at different times. Q How did international law change LGBTQ+ rights? International law changed LGBTQ+ rights by challenging criminalisation, creating partnership recognition, protecting sexual orientation in constitutions and opening marriage equality.
