South Africa’s highest court today ruled in favour of same-sex marriages, striking down a law that banned gay unions and ordering parliament to draft new legislation within a year.

“The common law definition of marriage is declared to be inconsistent with the constitution and invalid to the extent that it does not permit same-sex couples to enjoy the status and benefits it accords heterosexual couples,” said Justice Albie Sachs in a ruling delivered by the constitutional court.

Recognition of same-sex marriages would put South Africa in the same league as the Netherlands and Belgium, which have enacted legislation granting gay and lesbian couples the same rights as heterosexual ones. A number of European countries – Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – offer a similar legal status to same-sex marriages as civil unions.

Thanks Eon!