South Africa okay's same-sex marriages

South Africa's parliament has okayed same-sex marriages:

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - The South African parliament on Tuesday approved new legislation recognizing gay marriages — a first for a continent where homosexuality is largely taboo.

The National Assembly passed the Civil Union Bill, worked out after months of heated public discussion, by a majority of 230 to 41 votes despite criticism from both traditionalists and gay activists and warnings that it might be unconsitutional. There were three abstentions.

It's a little disturbing that a country once held up as an example of bigotry leaves us in dust in embracing tolerance.