Amazing!

The former apartheid capitol of the world, South Africa, legalizes marriage rights for same-sex couples.

In the post apartheid years, tremendous strides have been made in GLBT rights in South Africa.

South Africa's post apartheid constitution states that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals have the same rights as any other individual. Section 9 of the Constitution outlaws discrimination in South Africa based on sexual orientation.

Thursday's ruling was the latest in a series of legal wins for gays and lesbians dating back to 1998 when sodomy was decriminalized.

The following year immigrant partners of South African lesbians and gays were allowed to apply for permanent residence.

Same-sex adoption was legalized in 2002 and in 2003 the government bowed to pressure and permitted domestic partner benefits.

Could these be lessons learned from a terribly discriminatory country? If South Africa of all countries can recognize the humanity of its GLBT citizens, why can't we? Aren't we "the land of the free" too?