SOUTH AFRICA - HOME AFFAIRS STREAMLINES LGBTI MARRIAGE PROCESS

The Department of Home Affairs says it has designed a new marriage process to cater for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community.

A list of offices with marriage officers that can conduct same-sex marriages has been finalised to give everyone access to dignified marriage ceremonies.

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said his department remains committed to playing a leading role in issues of identity and nation building.

He reiterated his department’s commitment to a sustained partnership with the LGBTI stakeholders.

“All the parties spoke in one voice on the imperative to uphold the democratic values and ethos underpinning the Constitution.

“With the Constitution of the Republic and its entrenched Bill of Rights serving as the glue that holds us together, we were able to find each other on these fundamental issues of protecting the rights of all persons, while consciously promoting diversity, national unity, nation building and social cohesion,” the Minister said at a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

Representatives from Home Affairs had earlier met with the chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Advocate Lawrence Mushwana, as well as LGBTI representatives.

Minister Gigaba said inroads were made in attending to the legitimate concerns from the LGBTI stakeholders regarding the manner in which certain Home Affairs officials were handling issues LGBTI people.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier met with representatives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexed community in Pretoria on 7 June 2016.  Recommendations were announced on the comprehensive steps to be taken to address concerns raised on the protection and promotion of the human rights of the LGBTI community in SA.

VIA – SAnews.gov.za