We recieved a letter requesting that we publish some simple and clear information on Gay marriages. An Info sheet on the act has been drawn up by OUT LGBT Well Being, on behalf of The Joint Working Group. a national network of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizations, as follows: Activate WITS; Behind the Mask; Cape Town Pride Festival; Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre; Forum for the Empowerment of Women; Gay and Lesbian Archives; Gender DynamiX; Glorious Light Metropolitan Community Church; Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church; Hope and Unity Metropolitan Community Church; Inner Circle; Jewish OUTlook; LEGBO Northern Cape; Lesbian and Gay Equality Project; Pietermaritzberg Gay and Lesbian Network; OUT LGBT Well-being; Out In Africa South African Gay & Lesbian Film Festival; Rainbow UCT; Triangle Project; XX/Y FLAME

Firstly civil unions or gay marriages are the same thing and you can choose how you want to have the certificate issued. They carry all the legal benefits, rights, and responsibilities of straight marriage.

If you wish to have a legal marriage you will have to:

1) Request application forms under the Civil Unions act from your local Department of Home Affairs.
You will need ; Your Identity documents or affadavits confirming your identification. Divorce certificate or death Certificate if you were previously married. Two Witnesses for the ceremony.

2) You can be married at Any public office including the Dept of Home Affairs or magistrates court. At any private dwelling. At any place that is used for the purpose of marriages. In the case of illness, bodily injury or other physical limitations in any other suitable place.

3) You can be married by any civil marriage officer (Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, Diplomats, Selected government officials) recognised by the marriage Act. A minister of religion, provided that he or she and his denomination have been authorised by the minister. Note. These persons are all able to apply for
exemption from conducting Civil Unions if this is against their conscience.

4) You can choose how you wish to have your contract recorded, either as a Civil Union or as a marriage.

As with any marriage it is a good idea to visit a lawyer and draw up a contract.