FRANCE: Thousands turn out in Paris to show support of the French government's draft law allowing same-sex marriage and call for rights for children

Record ID: 277748

  • Title: FRANCE: Thousands turn out in Paris to show support of the French government's draft law allowing same-sex marriage and call for rights for children
  • Date: 16th December 2012
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 15, 2012) (REUTERS) BASTILLE SQUARE DEMONSTRATOR HOLDING BANNER IN FRONT OF BASTILLE COLUMN VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS HOLDING SIGNS AND BANNERS
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6OPY9ML08ZQFIGZI149TH6CUF
  • Story Text: Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Paris on Sunday (December 16) to show their support for same-sex rights in France, after Saturday's (December 15) rallies in provincial cities of France.
    The demonstrations are the response to the government's draft law to legalise same-sex marriage which mobilised thousands of opponents last month and last Saturday (December 8).
    The aim of the demonstrations this weekend is to increase pressure on French President Francois Hollande to honour his campaign promises to legalise same-sex marriages.

    "We demand the recognition of our children for my partner who has no rights to our children without necessarily going through a marriage. So far the marriage is the only way to see us both recognised as parents," said Benoit Foucher, a father of two, whose partner is not recognised as second father.

    "I am here for the next generation, my children, just to have another society more opened. It's not even a question for me," said French actress Julie Gayet.
    Hollande had hoped that the same-sex marriage bill being debated in parliament in January would be sufficient as a symbolic reform but the issue has become more important than expected in French society and for now, the French president is not seen as taking strong enough measures to set up equality for all.
    Recent opinion polls show that 60 per cent of French people support gay marriage but only 46 per cent support adoption by gay couples.
    Sunday's demonstration are supported by various left wing parties, some unions and rights groups supporting gay and lesbians.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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