South African court allows gay marriages

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- South Africa's highest court has ruled in favor of same-sex marriages banned under current law, reports the BBC.

The Constitutional Court, outlawing discrimination against gays and lesbians, ordered that parliament amend marriage laws to allow same-sex weddings within a year, the report said.

The court also said the definition of marriage must be changed from a "union between a man and a woman" to a "union between two persons."

A lawyer for the Lesbian and Gay Equality project said he was disappointed the Constitutional Court did not order the immediate implementation of its ruling.