[Shaun]

France has become the 14th country to approve a law allowing gay marriage.

The bill, which also legalises adoption by same-sex couples, was passed by 321 votes to 225 in the French parliament.

The decision follows a divisive public debate with some of the biggest protests seen in France in recent years.

Hundreds of opponents of the measure rallied outside the National Assembly building in central Paris as the result was announced.
Frigide Barjot, campaigner against same-sex marriage in France in Paris, 23 April 2013 Several hundred opponents of the new law were out in force, led by Frigide Barjot (centre)

The leader of the most high-profile group opposing same-sex marriage vowed to continue the fight.

Frigide Barjot, a comedian who uses her stage name, told her supporters: "We are going to show them that this is not over. I solemnly ask the president to hold a referendum on the subject."

Inside the National Assembly chamber, two opponents tried to unfurl a banner before being ejected.

Thousands of police armed with water cannon were deployed near parliament to deal with any repeat of the violence seen on the fringes of previous demonstrations.

Although rallies opposing the change have been overwhelmingly peaceful, there have been some clashes, blamed on far-right elements.
Flagship reform

Opinion polls suggest a small majority of French people favour gay marriage, but surveys indicate fewer support adoption by same-sex couples.

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.

Opponents of the measure, including the opposition UMP party, will try to convince the council that marriage is a constitutional issue.

However, analysts say that the council is unlikely to block the new law.
'Breeze of joy'

The BBC's Christian Fraser says that the bill has provoked strong emotions

The first weddings could take place in June, according to Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.

"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 the National Assembly.

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 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.

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.

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.

Quite surprised by this considering the supposed 100,000+ march against it in Paris, but so many already this year...

[Niall]

Fantastic! So many countries are legalising it now. It's a wonderful thing.

[GypsyGoth]

Spoiler:

[Jack_]

Great news we're going to look like the terrible neighbours now if the Lords stop the bill progressing

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by GypsyGoth

Spoiler:

That picture makes me so happy <3

Their shocked and disgusted faces when they're soon to become a minority in the most sweetest form of irony ever

[Jake.]

Great stuff

[Shaun]

I can't see the Lords stopping it given the clear majority from the Commons vote... would be uproar.

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Jack_

That picture makes me so happy <3

Their shocked and disgusted faces when they're soon to become a minority in the most sweetest form of irony ever

I agree, for a while the anit-gay movement in france was getting quite worrying.

[BBfanUSA]

Make that 14 countries that allow gay marriage ahead of all of the US states do. (I live in a state that allows it)

[Apple202]

they're falling like dominos now

[lostalex]

Congratulations to France and all of the hardworking politicians and activists that made this day possible!

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Shaun

I can't see the Lords stopping it given the clear majority from the Commons vote... would be uproar.

I was chatting with someone from the Lords a few weeks ago and discussing the fact that the old twin-set-and-pearls, huntin'-shootin'-fishin' core Tory voters had been alienated beyond redemption by the gay marriage smokescreen - hence the sudden uprise in support for UKIP. His considered opinion was that there was no way in the world it would get through the Lords, and considering the age and background of most of them, and the fact that a huge number of them are lawyers and judges, I think he may be right. And if it does get through, it will be unrecognisable from the original draft.

[Shaun]

*grumbles usual complaints about unelected ancient arseholes*

[Jack_]

25 Bishops in the House of Lords. Disgusting really

[arista]

Originally Posted by Jack_

25 Bishops in the House of Lords. Disgusting really

No Typical
Jack

It's even really positive that the protests have been happening so publicly in France. Public debate is the absolute minimum we can hope and expect. In the past this has been an unnecessary part of the process, but opinion has shifted so much, that it can't be swept under the carpet anymore.

[Apple202]

Rhode Island has now legalised gay marriage (like ten minutes ago i think)

That's 1/5th of America now!

[Apple202]

sourceee http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3149877.html

[Shaun]

Yeah the Senate's voted for it (and the House did already) so I guess that's wrapped up

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner...riage-equality

[lostalex]

Good on ya Rhode Island! The smallest state taking a stand!

[Shaun]

Delaware have just become the 11th state to pass it, with a vote of 12-9 in their senate.

[Niall]

It's kind of sad that it has to be a laborious state-by-state thing in America really. I suppose if they tried to implement it on a federal level though there would be an insane amount of backlash though.

[Shaun]

i think utah would probably secede

[Niall]

Originally Posted by Shaun

i think utah would probably secede

Or overthrow the government.

[Apple202]

go delaware