[Benjamin]

Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Paris over plans to give gay couples in France the right to marry and adopt children.

Three big marches converged on the Champs de Mars, a large park next to the Eiffel Tower.

France's Socialist government is planning to change the law this year.

But the demonstrators, backed by the Catholic Church and the right-wing opposition, argue it would undermine an essential building block of society.

The organisers put the number of marchers at 800,000, with demonstrators pouring into Paris by train and bus, carrying placards that read, "We don't want your law, Francois" and "Don't touch my civil code".

Police said the figure was closer to 340,000 and one government minister said the turnout was lower than the organisers had predicted. A similar march in November attracted around 100,000 people.

The "Demo for all" event was being led by a charismatic comedian known as Frigide Barjot, who tweeted that the "crowd is immense" and told French TV that gay marriage "makes no sense" because a child should be born to a man and woman.
'Test for president'

Although France allows civil unions between same-sex couples, Francois Hollande made a pledge to extend their rights part of his presidential campaign.
A Femen activist is restrained by a policewoman at the Vatican (13 Jan 2013) Four topless feminist activists staged a protest in St Peter's Square in favour of gay rights

Centre-right UMP President Jean-Francois Cope said the rally would be a "test" for the president because there were "clearly millions of French people who are probably concerned by this reform".

The far-right National Front is also opposed to the change, although its leader Marine Le Pen stayed away from the march, arguing the issue was a diversion by politicians from France's real problems.

Despite the support of the Church and political right, the organisers are keen to stress their movement is non-political and non-religious, and in no way directed against homosexuals, BBC Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield reports.

An opinion poll of almost 1,000 people published by Le Nouvel Observateur newspaper at the weekend suggested that 56% supported gay marriage, while 50% disapproved of gay adoption.

The poll also said that 52% of those questioned disapproved of the Church's stand against the legislation.

Earlier polls had indicated stronger support for the legalisation of gay marriage.

As the marchers began arriving in the centre of Paris, four Ukrainian activists staged their own protest in St Peter's Square in the Vatican in support of gay rights.

The women from feminist group Femen appeared topless while Pope Benedict recited his traditional Angelus prayer.

Police moved to restrain the activists, one of whom was attacked by a worshipper brandishing an umbrella.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21004322

[Black Dagger]

Stupid snail eating ********

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by Black Dagger

Stupid snail eating ********

You tell those bigoted idiots.

It's about time someone made a stand. Gays have had it easy throughout history, so it's about time they know what struggles us straight people have to go through.

[Glenn.]

But omg I hate French people

[Shaun]

they'll be surprised by how little they care when it eventually is made legal

because it will happen.

[arista]

Its The Catholic Church's Fault

[Z]

I think attitudes will change over time and people will look back and wonder why this was ever such a big deal, but at the same time I really don't see either of these rights struggles as being.. worth it, for lack of a better term. I dunno. I don't take issue with it, it's just not something I see any point in, I don't really get why gay people want to get married and I do think it's unnatural for homosexual couples to raise children but I'm not against it either, I just don't think it's necessary really...

[Mrluvaluva]

I suppose gay couples want to get married for some of the same reasons as straight people. Love, commitment etc... Not everyone needs marriage, but it's important to some, depending on your beliefs.

[GypsyGoth]

It's reckoned about 340,000 took to the streets. I think it's kinda worrying

[Benjamin]

Shame we still live in such a rigid world.

[Shaun]

the organisers claimed the 340,000 figure the police reckoned about 100,000 I heard

[MTVN]

Really surprised actually at how strong opposition there is that they were able to get so many people out onto the streets

[MTVN]

From the BBC article it says the organisers claimed 800,000 turned up, but the police said 340,000. It was another march in November that had 100,000

[Shaun]

Aaaaaaah, I knew they were BSing and must've read the wrong number

[Nedusa]

People are funny, taking to the streets to demonstrate that their view of religion, their take on the utter nonsensical claptrap that is religion cannot be diluted or adulterated by this new perverse way of thinking ie allowing gays to marry in Church.

Hell no, lets keep our nonsensical , fairy tale clean and pure...!!!

You would think they'd have more important things to do with their lives...!!!

I think the right in France have stirred up the anti-Islamic rhetoric so much, it's probably caused a new wave of Christians to become more evangelical about things.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

Shouldnt they be focusing more on the preists butt fcuking their kids?

If i decided to marry a man what the hell has it got to do with anyone else?

And that bitch in the 2nd picture looks like she smells of sweat and grease. Take a shower you backward ****.

[Niall]

It's nice to know that these pathetic bigots still exist.