200 Years of LGBTQIA+ History

From Shadows to Pride — UK & Global Timeline

Source Record

Civil Union Act 17 of 2006

Why this source is used

Official South African Government record for the Civil Union Act, including marriage or civil partnership solemnisation and 30 November 2006 commencement.

Start with the answer

Start with the answer 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. Start with the answer Which global marriage and family recognition wins expanded LGBTQ+ rights? Key wins included Brazil, Colombia, Taiwan, Cuba, Mexico and Greece, each using a different legal route. Read the topic guide International Decriminalisation and Recognition International LGBTQ+ legal change moved from decriminalisation rulings to partnership recognition, constitutional protection and marriage equality.

Source Status

Publisher
South African Government
Type
legal
Reliability
high
Cited by
5 pages

Source Links

Open original source https://www.gov.za/documents/acts/civil-union-act-17-2006-17-nov-2006 Accessed 2 June 2026 Open archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://www.gov.za/documents/acts/civil-union-act-17-2006-17-nov-2006

Used by Topics

International Decriminalisation and Recognition Global Marriage and Family Recognition Wins

Used by Questions

How did international law change LGBTQ+ rights? Which global marriage and family recognition wins expanded LGBTQ+ rights?

Used by Timeline Events

30 November 2006 LegalInternational

South Africa Legalises Same-Sex Marriage

South Africa became the fifth country in the world and the first in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage through the Civil Union Act. The Constitutional Court had ruled in Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie that the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage was unconstitutional, giving Parliament one year to remedy the law.