GenQ - For the not so straight individual

The South African parliament overwhelmingly approved a bill to make gay marriages legal, making them the first on the continent.

The Civil Union bill, which gives gay couples the same rights as heterosexual partners, still needs approval by the second house of parliament but is expected to pass and go into effect by the end of the month.

South African's cabinet approved the bill in August after the country's highest court ruled it was unconstitution to ban gay marriage despite protests from religious groups and opposing parties.

When enacted, South Africa will become the first African country to allow gay couples the same rights as homosexuals following in the footsteps of others like Canada, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The United States allows each state to decide. Most states have constitutionally banned gay marriage with the exception of Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey who now forward the same rights to gay couples as their straight counterparts.