Court overturns Dutch Reformed Church decision not to recognise same-sex unions

In 2015, the church gave its blessing to same-sex unions but later changed its stance amid pressure from some congregants.

The church also decided that homosexual people could become ministers only if they are celibate.

Twelve congregants who are in same-sex relationships subsequently turned to the courts to force the church to reverse its decision. 

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Laurie Gaum, who launched the application, believes the ruling is a victory for all those who stood up for who they are in church. 

 "All of us queer people are also made in God's image and we will claim our space where-ever we are, whether it is in small communities, in a church, congregation, in schools, at work or in any institution we feel bullied.

"We are strengthened by this decision to stand up and come out proudly also and claim our space, so we truly elated, " Gaum told Jacaranda FM News.

Gaum said churches and other institutions must stop hiding behind religious convictions in order to exclude the queer community.

"When it’s their preference, they warm it up and they bring it in to exclude other people and that's not the way to go. 

"Clearly the court has shown that, and it reminded us that we are supposed to embody more free inclusivity of the gospel and the good news which is there to free all our people." 

The Dutch Reformed Church's Neli Van Rensburg said they will first have to study the judgment before it would be able to comment.