South Africa: Lesbian Minister Defrocked for Marrying Partner

A woman minister in the Methodist church has been discharged for marrying her life partner. Reverend Ecclesia de Lange, minister of the Brackenfell and Windsor Park congregations in Cape Town, married her partner, Amanda, in December, Beeld newspaper reported on Friday.

She was suspended last week but appealed against the suspension. Beeld reported that the appeal commission had now dismissed her appeal.

De Lange earlier posted a message on the networking site Facebook, saying: "I've come to the point where I can’t remain silent any longer. I've realised that it’s better to be condemned for who I am than to be accepted for who I am not."

Full Story from Sowetan.co.za
Click here for gay marriage resources.
To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

Attempts to Repeal South Africa's Gay Marriage Law Continue

When the Joburg Pride parade proceeded through the northern suburbs of South Africa’s largest city recently, the reaction from onlookers seemed one of overwhelming support. Residents waved friendly signs, drivers honked and even traffic controllers showed their solidarity by sporting tutus. South Africa is the only country in Africa to allow same-sex marriage, and its government and judiciary system have proved particularly progressive in their handling of gay rights issues, but both advocates and opponents of gay rights agree there is a growing movement to challenge the gay community’s legal advances. “People are just not prepared to let it go,” said Steve Swart, a member of parliament representing the African Christian Democratic Party. “Legislation was passed. Legislation can always be relooked at.” Full Story from the Global Post: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south%20africa/091008/south-africa-same-sex-marriage

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

South African Presidential Spokesman Says Gay Marriage Not in Danger

The presidency has poured cold water over suggestions by conservative Christian lobby groups that President Jacob Zuma will change legislation on abortion and same-sex marriages. Zuma's spokesperson, Vusi Mona, told the Mail & Guardian this week that while the president has invited Christian groups to "come and debate" these issues, Zuma would nevertheless "uphold the Constitution". But Zuma had promised worshippers at Rhema Church during his election campaign that he would consider requests to change legislation permitting abortion and same-sex marriages, Family Policy Institute (FPI) director Errol Naidoo has told the M&G. Full Story from the Mail & Guardian: http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-04-gay-marriage-abortion-rights-not-under-threat

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

South African Diocese to Debate Gay Marriage

A second South African diocese will take up the question of pastoral care for gays and lesbians when the False Bay synod meets from Sept 23-26. Carved out of the eastern half of the Diocese of Cape Town in 2005, the Diocese of False Bay will debate a resolution akin to last month’s Cape Town request for an official church policy on gay marriage in light of the country’s gender-neutral marriage laws. The South African general synod in 2002 endorsed a resolution that “acknowledges and gives thanks to God for the role played by lesbian and gay members of the CPSA and encourages the welcoming and affirmation of all members regardless of their sexual orientation, in all the Churches of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.” However, the church forbids its clergy from performing gay marriages or blessing same-sex unions in churches. The False Bay resolution states that it affirms a “pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment in our parish families; notes the positive statements of previous Provincial Synods that Gay and Lesbian members of our Church share in full membership as baptised members of the Body of Christ, and are affirmed and welcomed as such;” and affirms the call to “prayerful and respectful dialogue” on this issue. Full Story from Religious Intelligence: http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=5068

Planning to marry your partner? Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com with "subscribe blog" as the subject. Or find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.