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French House OKs Gay Marriage; 1 Step Remains

Bill just needs to clear Senate to become law

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2013 12:41 PM CST

(Newser) – Same-sex marriage is now just one step away from being legal in France. The country's lower house of parliament today voted 329 to 229 to approve a controversial bill that would redefine a marriage as a contract between two people, without reference to gender, allowing gay and lesbian couples to both get married and adopt children, France 24 reports. The bill faced fierce opposition from France's Catholics, and from conservative lawmakers, who introduced more than 5,000 amendments to delay its passage. But now the bill needs only to clear the senate to become law, according to CNN. The vote comes as a similar bill is working its way through the UK parliament.

The board with the results of the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.
The board with the results of the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
People demonstrate in support  of  the government project to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption for same-sex couples in Paris, Dec. 16, 2012.
People demonstrate in support of the government project to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption for same-sex couples in Paris, Dec. 16, 2012.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File)
French justice minister Christiane Taubira delivers her speech following the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.
French justice minister Christiane Taubira delivers her speech following the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
French leftist deputies, foreground and right, applaud following the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.
French leftist deputies, foreground and right, applaud following the vote at the National Assembly in Paris, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013, of a new law legalizing gay marriage.   (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 41 comments
right2dave
Feb 12, 2013 10:55 PM CST
I thought the French were gay?
KimKendall
Feb 12, 2013 3:05 PM CST
the gay life style is learned, it is environmental.  what value is there for society to advocate a perverted life style?  none In fact it is a large detriment. gay people have no responsibility to the nation. they will sacrifice it for their own agenda
InesM
Feb 12, 2013 2:29 PM CST
whose offending Who?
 

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