South Africa: LGBTQ+ Rights Movement and Legal Reform (1990–2010)

1. National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality formed

   Jan 1, 1994Labels: National Coalition, Lesbian and

   • LGEP

2. Interim Constitution bans sexual-orientation discrimination

   Apr 27, 1994Labels: Interim Constitution

   • ConCourt History
   • NCGLE v Justice

3. Final Constitution promulgated with equality protections

   Dec 18, 1996Labels: Final Constitution, Nelson Mandela

   • WIPO Lex
   • SA Constitution

4. 1996 Constitution comes into force

   Feb 4, 1997Labels: 1996 Constitution

   • WIPO Lex
   • Justice Dept

5. Constitutional Court decriminalises male same-sex conduct

   Oct 9, 1998Labels: National Coalition, Constitutional Court

   • SAFLII
   • Human Dignity

6. Constitutional Court extends immigration benefits to same-sex partners

   Dec 2, 1999Labels: National Coalition, Constitutional Court

   • NCGLE v Home
   • SAFLII

7. Equality Act begins implementation via initial commencement

   Sep 1, 2000Labels: PEPUDA, Equality Courts

   • SAFLII
   • PEPUDA

8. Constitutional Court recognises same-sex partners’ spousal benefits for judges

   Jul 25, 2002Labels: Satchwell v, Constitutional Court

   • Satchwell
   • SAFLII

9. Constitutional Court permits joint adoption by same-sex couples

   Sep 10, 2002Labels: Du Toit, Constitutional Court

   • ConCourt Coll
   • SAFLII

10. Constitutional Court recognises parental status in lesbian insemination case

    Mar 28, 2003Labels: J and, Constitutional Court

    • J v DHA
    • SAFLII

11. PEPUDA’s remaining core provisions commence

    Jun 16, 2003Labels: PEPUDA

    • SAFLII
    • PEPUDA

12. Sex description alteration law comes into force

    Mar 15, 2004Labels: Alteration of

    • Gov za
    • Act 49

13. Constitutional Court orders same-sex marriage recognition

    Dec 1, 2005Labels: Minister of, Constitutional Court

    • Fourie
    • SAFLII

14. Civil Union Act commences, enabling same-sex marriage

    Nov 30, 2006Labels: Civil Union

    • Civil Union
    • OUP Article