Sigh. I remember protesting against the old South African government, firm in my conviction that my nation would always be ahead of them when it came to civil liberties and justice. What Progress looks like:

Parliament on Tuesday approved the controversial Civil Unions Bill, which provides for same-sex marriage, the first African country to do so and one of only a few in the world.

The measure was opposed by almost all opposition parties, bar the Democratic Alliance, which allowed its members a free vote on the issue.

The bill provides for opposite-sex and same-sex couples of 18 years or older to solemnise and register a voluntary union, either by marriage or civil partnership.

Same-sex couples can be married by civil marriage officers and such religious marriage officers who consider such marriages not to fall outside the tenets of their religion.

Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said South Africa needed to fight and resist all forms of discrimination and prejudice, including homophobia.

The National Council of Provinces now also needs to approve the bill to meet a Constitutional Court deadline of December 1 to correct what it ruled in December last year was an unconstitutional definition of marriage in legislation.

While over here states like VA and WI (!) are telling my kind to get stuffed. There are probably about a thousand ironic jokes here, but contemplating how backwards facing many in this nation are takes all the humor right out of me.