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Saturday, May 18, 2013

French President Francois Hollande Sign Gay Marriage Bill -Saturday May 18,2013



France's president has signed into law on Saturday May 18,2013 a controversial bill making the country the ninth in Europe, and 14th globally, to legalise gay marriage.

In all, 13 Nations around the world now have taken this step as of April 2013.  They are -
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Spain
  • Portugal
  • Canada
  • South Africa
  • Argentina
  • Iceland and 
  • Uruguay
  • New Zealand


Francois Hollande and his ruling Socialist Party have made the legislation their flagship social reform since being elected a year ago

Parliamentary Relations Minister Alain Vidalies told French TV he expected the first ceremonies to take place "before 1 July" 2013

France is now the 14th country to legalise Gay Marriage after New Zealand

Note
  • The same-sex marriage& adoption bill was adopted by France's Senate & National Assemblyin April 2013

  • The bill was quickly challenged on constitutional grounds by the main right-wing opposition UMP party of former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

  • Opinion polls have suggested that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, but only about 50% approve of gay adoption

Timeline: Gay marriage in France

  • May 2012: Election of President Hollande, who makes gay marriage his flagship social reform
  • January 2013: At least 340,000 join protests in Paris as National Assembly begins debate on gay marriage bill
  • April: Senate approves bill, two months after the assembly had passed it
  • 17 May: Constitutional Court dismisses legal challenge
  • 18 May: Bill signed into law by President Hollande



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