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| First gay couple wed in France amid tight security | First gay couple wed in France amid tight security |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| Two men have become the first gay couple to wed in France, just days after President Francois Hollande signed the same-sex marriage bill into law. | Two men have become the first gay couple to wed in France, just days after President Francois Hollande signed the same-sex marriage bill into law. |
| Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau said "oui" in the southern city of Montpellier amid tight security. | Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau said "oui" in the southern city of Montpellier amid tight security. |
| Mr Hollande had warned he would not accept any disruption to the ceremony. | Mr Hollande had warned he would not accept any disruption to the ceremony. |
| The new legislation has proved controversial and sparked violent protests. | The new legislation has proved controversial and sparked violent protests. |
| The anti-gay-marriage lobby, backed by the Catholic Church and conservative opposition, argues the bill undermines an essential building block of society. | The anti-gay-marriage lobby, backed by the Catholic Church and conservative opposition, argues the bill undermines an essential building block of society. |
| The ceremony was broadcast live on French TV. | The ceremony was broadcast live on French TV. |
| The Socialist mayor of Montpellier, Helene Mandroux, conducted the ceremony, announcing "I now pronounce you united in marriage." | The Socialist mayor of Montpellier, Helene Mandroux, conducted the ceremony, announcing "I now pronounce you united in marriage." |
| Her announcement was met with applause from the guests, as Frank Sinatra's 'Love and Marriage' was played. | Her announcement was met with applause from the guests, as Frank Sinatra's 'Love and Marriage' was played. |
| Earlier in the ceremony, Ms Mandroux said marriage was about "the same rights for everybody". | Earlier in the ceremony, Ms Mandroux said marriage was about "the same rights for everybody". |
| The law legalising gay marriage was "a stage in the modernisation of our country", she added. | The law legalising gay marriage was "a stage in the modernisation of our country", she added. |
| Mr Autin made a short speech after the ceremony thanking supporters. He frequently broke down in tears, reports AFP. "Love yourselves, let's love ourselves, because it's important," he said. | Mr Autin made a short speech after the ceremony thanking supporters. He frequently broke down in tears, reports AFP. "Love yourselves, let's love ourselves, because it's important," he said. |
| Extra security | Extra security |
| Mr Autin, a 40-year-old gay rights activist, met his 30-year-old partner in 2006. | Mr Autin, a 40-year-old gay rights activist, met his 30-year-old partner in 2006. |
| Some 600 guests were invited and 150 media crews were accredited for the ceremony, the BBC's Christian Fraser, in Paris, reports. | Some 600 guests were invited and 150 media crews were accredited for the ceremony, the BBC's Christian Fraser, in Paris, reports. |
| Several businesses and well-wishers sent wedding presents to the couple. | Several businesses and well-wishers sent wedding presents to the couple. |
| Extra police were drafted in amid fears the extreme-right might also attend, our correspondent added. | Extra police were drafted in amid fears the extreme-right might also attend, our correspondent added. |
| On Sunday, at least 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Paris to denounce the same-sex marriage bill, which was signed into law on 18 May. | On Sunday, at least 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Paris to denounce the same-sex marriage bill, which was signed into law on 18 May. |
| Earlier, the Constitutional Council ruled that same-sex marriage "did not run contrary to any constitutional principles," and that it did not infringe on "basic rights or liberties or national sovereignty". | Earlier, the Constitutional Council ruled that same-sex marriage "did not run contrary to any constitutional principles," and that it did not infringe on "basic rights or liberties or national sovereignty". |
| Some officials indicated they had objections to carrying out gay wedding ceremonies. | Some officials indicated they had objections to carrying out gay wedding ceremonies. |
| "I will find a balance between freedom of conscience and breaking the law," said Philippe Brillault, the Mayor of Le Chesnay in western Paris. | |
| "We will retain our freedom while respecting the law - and that is in no way homophobic. And I will delegate any marriage to a socialist councillor who has agreed to conduct them." | "We will retain our freedom while respecting the law - and that is in no way homophobic. And I will delegate any marriage to a socialist councillor who has agreed to conduct them." |
| But it is not clear what will happen if, in smaller communes, all officials are against gay marriage and refuse to take part, observers say. | But it is not clear what will happen if, in smaller communes, all officials are against gay marriage and refuse to take part, observers say. |
| Mr Hollande and his governing Socialist Party have made the legislation their flagship social reform since being elected a year ago. | Mr Hollande and his governing Socialist Party have made the legislation their flagship social reform since being elected a year ago. |
| Opinion polls have suggested that about 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, but only about 50% approve of gay adoption. | Opinion polls have suggested that about 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, but only about 50% approve of gay adoption. |
| France is now the 14th country to legalise gay marriage after New Zealand last month. | France is now the 14th country to legalise gay marriage after New Zealand last month. |
| 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. | 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. |