France approves gay marriage article
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| Photo: Gwenaël Piaser |
February 2, 2013 /LGBT News/ The French parliament on Saturday overwhelmingly approved the first and most important article of a law that would allow same-sex marriage and grant gay couples the right to adopt children.
Deputies voted 249-97 in favor of redefining marriage as being an agreement between two people, not just between a man and a woman.
Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP and centrist MPs denouncing the measure.
An Ifop poll last Saturday showed a rise in support for equal marriage, which had risen to 63% from 60% in early January and December.
The law still faces more than a week of discussion in parliament before it will go to a final vote on February 12.
