France passes gay marriage bill

The legislation not only legalizes same-sex marriage but allows same-sex couples to adopt children

Published April 12, 2013 11:28AM (EDT)

French President Francois Hollande           (AP/Patrick Kovarik)
French President Francois Hollande (AP/Patrick Kovarik)

PARIS (AP) — The French Senate has voted to legalize same-sex marriage in France, putting a landmark bill on track to become law by summer.

The vote in the upper house of parliament — led by President Francois Hollande's Socialists — comes despite boisterous protests. Opponents — mostly conservatives and fervent Roman Catholics — have sought to defend traditional marriage.

Both houses of parliament will now take up a second reading to consider minor Senate changes to the bill passed in February by the National Assembly, also controlled by a Socialist-led majority.

The bill would allow gay marriage and let same-sex couples adopt children. On the campaign trail last year, Hollande pledged to push through such legislation if elected.

About a dozen mostly European nations already allow gay marriage.

 


By Associated Press

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Associated Press France Francois Hollande National Assembly Roman Catholics Socialism