Gay Guide South Africa
Homosexuality in itself is not covered specifically in the law, but same-sex intercourse with a man under 19 can be punishable by imprisonment of up to six years and and fined with up to 12,000 rand. In November 2006, Parliament passed a law on registered partnerships. It was introduced in response to a Constitutional Court ruling ordering the representatives of the people to change the definition of marriage from "relationship between man and woman" to "relationship between two persons". This made South Africa the fifth country in the world and the first in Africa to open marriage. The fundamental rights guaranteed in the South African constitution also prohibit in principle any discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender or marital status. Especially far from the cities homosexuality is still considered taboo in public opinion. Safer sex is even more important in South Africa than elsewhere, as the country has the highest rate of HIV infections in the world with 5 million people carrying the virus. South Africa also has continuous problems curtailing violence against homosexuals.
Cities in South Africa
Cape Town - Western CapeDarling - Western CapeDurban - Kwazulu NatalFranschhoek - Western CapeJohannesburg - Gauteng Knysna - Western CapeMcGregor - Western CapeMkuze - KwaZulu NatalOudtshoorn - Western CapePort Elizabeth - Eastern Cape SowetoTshwane / Pretoria - GautengWilderness - Western Cape
Location: Southern Africa
Initials: ZAF
International country code: 27 (omit 0 from area codes)
Language: English, Afrikaans, African languages
Currency: 1 Rand (ZAR) = 100 Cents
Capital: Cape Town (legislative capital), Pretoria (administrative capital)
Religions: 81% Christian
Climate: Ranging from hot and dry in summer to cold and wet in winter. Sub-tropical to Mediterranean climates.
Important gay cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg
Hotel Golf Chateau de Chailly
Château de Chailly is a classified monument dating from the 16th century and was converted into a four-star golf resort about thirty years ago (by its current owner Yasuhiko SATA) with 45 bedrooms and suites, 2 restaurants, Vinésime & Charme d'Orient Spa and an 18-hole golf course... more
Belvedere Guest House for Men
Belvedere Guest House for Men, Fire Island's premier accommodation, located on the bay front at Cherry Grove, near Fire Island Pines, a few minutes from one of the world's best beaches... more