San Francisco Appeals Gay Marriage Order


SAN FRANCISCO -- A month after an appeals court ruled against same-sex marriage, the city and about a dozen homosexual couples have filed an appeal to the California Supreme Court.

Gay marriage advocates hope to overturn the ruling that said limiting marriage to a man and a woman does not violate the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians.

If the high court takes the case, a decision on same-sex marriage is likely a year or more away. The justices have 90 days to announce their intentions.

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S Africa set to back gay weddings


South Africa would become the first African country to approve such unions. The Civil Unions Bill was introduced after the Constitutional Court ruled last year that the existing laws discriminated against homosexuals.

The ruling ANC has ordered all MPs to vote in favour of the bill, despite the fierce opposition of church and traditional leaders.