The French government is expected to introduce legislation in October that would legalize same-sex marriage, a move that would bring France in line with several European countries and fulfill an campaign promise by President François Hollande.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, had previously announced in the French Parliament that gay and lesbian couples would be permitted to marry and adopt children by 2013.
“In October, we will send a bill to the National Assembly and the Senate to allow same-sex couples to marry,” Ayrault said Saturday, in an address to Socialist Party members at their annual gathering. “It would also allow them to form families and adopt children.”
Once introduced, the bill will be debated in France’s two houses of Parliament, which are both controlled by Hollande’s Socialist Party.
Should the Parliament approve the bill, France would join countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Spain in allowing gay marriage.
In the late 1990s, France was one of the first countries to permit same-sex civil partnerships, which gave the principal rights and obligations of marriage except for adoption.
According to several polls, a majority of French people approve same-sex marriage, although the majority support for adoption is thinner.
Filed under: Europe
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Everything is bigger in Texas – even the homophobia
Maybe the U.S. will follow the French. If not, might as well take down the statue of liberty being that it was a gift from the French.
Hope it passes.
:D This is AWESOME!
Have you noticed the eerie similarity of Katrina and Issac? Both hurricanes hit, or are predicted to hit New Orleans on Aug 29 – the first day of the weeklong GAY MARDI GRAS Festival.
Must be the Government. A CONSPIRACY, I SAY.
Liz, it’s sad that you’re willing to waste so much time being hateful to others based on difference. Marriage equality should be a reality. Kudos to France- hope US will be next.
It’s about time.
clearly even hurricanes want to attend the Gay Mardis Gras.
of course….France is the country of ‘love’ ;) lol,. But no, that’s great that France is working hard for all their citizens.
Sacre bleu!
Good
Good
Is it sad that OTHER nations are making the mark on this “issue” when America is like “NO!!! THE CHRISTIAN’S SAY NO! WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM” or is it just me?
Love yoy all xxxxxxxxx
Woo!
i knew i loved france for a reason
Paris is the most dainty city in the world.
It’s about time !