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Same-sex marriage: France changes law Same-sex marriage: French parliament approves new law
(35 minutes later)
The French parliament has approved a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption, following a divisive public debate. France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing gay marriage.
France becomes the 14th country to pass a law allowing gay marriage, and follows New Zealand last week. The bill, which also legalises adoption by same-sex couples, was passed by 321 votes to 225 in the French parliament.
Opponents of the move have staged some of the biggest protests seen in France in years, though polls suggest a small majority in favour of gay marriage. The decision follows a divisive public debate with some of the biggest protests seen in France in recent years.
Demonstrations are expected from both supporters and opponents of the bill. More protests by supporters and opponents are expected and thousands of police have been deployed in central Paris in preparation.
Police reinforcements have been brought in and security stepped up. Although previous rallies have been overwhelmingly peaceful, some clashes on the fringes have been blamed on far-right elements. Although previous rallies have been overwhelmingly peaceful, some clashes on the fringes of opponents' protests have been blamed on far-right elements.
President Francois Hollande has made the law his flagship social reform. Opinion polls suggest a small majority of French people favour gay marriage, but opinion on adoption by same-sex couples is even more divided.
Socialist President Francois Hollande made the law his flagship social reform.
He is expected to add his signature to the bill once it has cleared any challenge in the constitutional council.He is expected to add his signature to the bill once it has cleared any challenge in the constitutional council.
Opponents of gay marriage hope the council will block the bill - but analysts say that is unlikely. Opponents of the measure, including the opposition UMP party, will try to convince the council that marriage is a constitutional issue.
Threats condemned However, analysts say that the council is unlikely to block the new law.
Supporters say gay people will only have equal rights when they are allowed to marry. 'Breeze of joy'
They also say the campaign of opposition has encouraged an increase in violent attacks on gay people. The first weddings could take place in June, according to Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.
There have been some high-profile attacks in recent weeks, and on Monday gunpowder was posted to the speaker of the lower house, demanding he stop the vote. "We believe that the first weddings will be beautiful and that they'll bring a breeze of joy, and that those who are opposed to them today will surely be confounded when they are overcome with the happiness of the newlyweds and the families," she told parliament.
The violence and threats have been condemned by both sides.
Some argue this is the most important social reform in France since the death penalty was banned in 1981, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.Some argue this is the most important social reform in France since the death penalty was banned in 1981, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.
France becomes the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage. It has already been legalised not just in the traditionally liberal Netherlands and Scandinavia, but also in strongly Catholic Portugal and Spain. Legislation is also moving through the UK Parliament. France is now the 14th country to legalise gay marriage after New Zealand last week.
It is also the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage after legalisation in the traditionally liberal Netherlands and Scandinavia, but also in strongly Catholic Portugal and Spain. Legislation is also moving through the UK Parliament.
But the measure has aroused stronger than expected opposition in France - a country where the Catholic Church was thought to have lost much of its influence over the public.But the measure has aroused stronger than expected opposition in France - a country where the Catholic Church was thought to have lost much of its influence over the public.
In January, a protest in Paris against the bill attracted some 340,000 people according to police - one of the biggest public demonstrations in France in decades. Organisers put the figure at 800,000.In January, a protest in Paris against the bill attracted some 340,000 people according to police - one of the biggest public demonstrations in France in decades. Organisers put the figure at 800,000.
Since then both sides have held regular street protests.Since then both sides have held regular street protests.
The opponents, backed by the Catholic Church and conservative opposition, say France already has civil partnerships for homosexual couples, and extending rights to marriage undermines an essential building block of society.The opponents, backed by the Catholic Church and conservative opposition, say France already has civil partnerships for homosexual couples, and extending rights to marriage undermines an essential building block of society.
Opinion polls suggest about 55-60% of the public support same-sex marriage.
However, support for adoption by same-sex couples, which is also provided for in the bill, is only at about 50%.
Opponents have marched under banners declaring a child's right to a mother and father.
At a last-ditch demonstration on Sunday, Camille, 32, told AFP news agency as she fed her baby of four months: "We are here for the rights of the children... We take it as a slur when we are called homophobes or fascists."