A controversial bill was approved by the French Senate on Friday that will allow same-sex marriage. The legislation, already approved by the House of Representatives, also allows same-sex couples to adopt. Dominique Berinotti, the Minister for the Family called the vote a “beautiful victory.” The law will take full effect at the middle of the year. For gay rights advocates this is the first major breakthrough in more than ten years.
A controversial vote
The Senate vote was done by a show of hands. The bill saw ten amendments in the Senate where it is still due for a final reading. The final vote is expected next week in the Lower House. There, the minor amendments required by the Senate are expected to pass without delay. This is largely attributed to the dominance of President Hollande’s Socialist Party in the Lower House of the French Parliament. The bill also needs to be put through the National Assembly for a second reading probably in May. However, there are no specific dates set for these activities just yet.
Promise delivered
In his campaign incumbent President Francois Hollande made a promise to give same-sex couples the same privileges enjoyed by heterosexual couples. The President belongs to the Socialist Party which has the majority in the National Assembly.
The Pacte Civil de Solidarite (PACS) is a law that legalizes civil union in the country. It was introduced in 1999 under the Socialist government. The law provides same-sex couples the same rights as straight couples, but gay couples are not given all the rights as straight couples. This bill is considered as a very significant social reform agenda and the first major one since 1981 when the death penalty was abolished in France.
Intense opposition
France is largely a Catholic country. The Roman Catholic Church in France intensively campaigned against the bill along with conservative organizations and religious groups. The opposition rallied in the streets alongside those who are in favor of same-sex marriage. Thousands of demonstrators have brought their perspective out in the open as the vote approaches.
The Catholic Church is joined in the very vocal protest by Evangelical Christians as well as Muslims and Jews. The main opposition to the bill lies on the provision with regard to adopting children. As individuals gay men and women are allowed by the law in France to adopt children. However, before this bill, the law did not allow same-sex couples to adopt and assume the role of parents with equal rights and responsibilities.
Conservative members of Parliament are still intent on putting a fight based on constitutional arguments. However, the popular opinion is that a rejection of the bill by the Constitutional Council is not likely to happen.
A short list
France is now the latest addition to a total of 12 countries that has legalized same-sex marriage. The other countries on the list are Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and South Africa. All these nations have fully legalized same-sex marriage within their territory. Some areas of Mexico and Brazil have also legalized same-sex unions, as well as in certain states in America.
Photo Credit: Same-Sex Marriage
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