Former Dutch Territory South Africa legalizes gay marriage

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South African parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved legislation recognizing gay marriages -- a first for a continent where homosexuality is largely taboo.

By a vote of 230-41, the National Assembly passed the Civil Union Bill, a compromise that resulted from months of heated public discussion.

Both traditionalists and gay activists have criticized the measure, and there have been warnings that it might be unconstitutional.