- France edition
- Change edition:
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Sweden |
- Switzerland
May 17, 2012
Photo credit: David Goehring
Sex change couple may be able to stay married
Published: 28 Oct 2011 09:17 GMT+1
Updated: 28 Oct 2011 07:34 GMT+1
Online: http://www.thelocal.fr/1598/20111028/
A couple from Brittany were one step closer to becoming the first legally married same sex couple in France on Thursday after they cleared a legal hurdle to have the husband's sex change legally recognized.
When Wilfrid Avrillon married his wife, Marie, in August 1997 both of them had a secret. Marie was lesbian but was not ready to acknowledge it while Wilfrid wanted to live as a woman.
In an interview with website Yagg, Marie explained she was fearful of "prejudice and family consequences" while Wilfrid felt "like a woman but unfortunately born in a man's body."
Over the course of their 14-year marriage, the two came to terms with their situation and Wilfrid embarked on a process to change sex, now preferring to live as Chloé.
The couple now want to have Chloé's change of gender officially recognized. However, by doing so they are concerned that they will not be permitted to stay married. Same sex marriage is illegal in France.
"This is about a married couple who want to stay that way," said the couple's lawyer, Emmanuel Ludot, reported local newspaper Le Télégramme.
"A change of identity does not mean the break-up of a marriage. On the contrary, it strengthens it."
A private appearance to argue their case in front of a tribunal on Thursday in Brest ended positively for the couple.
"There is no opposition," said the lawyer. "The prosecutor is in agreement, everyone is in agreement and we will get a judgement on December 15th which will permit a change in gender."
A positive judgement in December will make Chloé and Marie the first legally married same sex couple in France. It will also make them the first legally recognized same sex parents. "A double first," according to their lawyer.
As for the couple, they hope that a decision in their favour will benefit the cause of homosexual marriage in France.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter This
Photo credit: Margaux L'Hermite
Hollande has turbulent first day
Francois Hollande had quite a first day as French president: swearing in, Champs Elysees parade in torrential rain, then a lightning strike to his plane en route to meet the world's most powerful woman.
READ »
COMMENT »
Photo credit: Jean-Marc Ayrault
Hollande names new prime minister
French President Francois Hollande named Jean-Marc Ayrault, the head of the Socialist bloc in parliament and mayor of Nantes, as his prime minister on Tuesday.
READ »
COMMENT »
Photo credit: Margaux L'Hermite
Hollande to take over French presidency
Socialist Francois Hollande will be sworn in as France's president on Tuesday before naming a prime minister and dashing to Germany to battle with Berlin over how to tackle Europe's debt crisis.
READ »
COMMENT »
Photo credit: WTO
One year on: things only get worse for DSK
On Monday, exactly a year will have passed since Dominique Strauss Kahn's arrest on charges of trying to rape a maid in a luxury New York hotel room.
READ »
COMMENT »
Photo credit: PuzzleScot/The hull of UK aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth at Rosyth Dockyard, Scotland
France: UK jet change 'threatens carrier deal'
France said Friday it regretted Britain's decision to reverse its choice of fighter jets for future aircraft carriers, with the result that French warplanes will no longer be able to use the ships.
READ (1 comments) »
COMMENT »
Hollande-Merkel meeting: no decisions expected
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks on the eurozone crisis with French President Francois Hollande in Berlin on Tuesday after his inauguration, her spokesman said.
READ »
COMMENT »
Photo credit: Dirk Vorderstraße
Germany: Europe's fiscal deal 'still stands'
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Friday warned that new elections did not invalidate European Union's deal on tighter fiscal policy.
READ »
COMMENT »
Hollande's wealth: less bling than Sarkozy
President-elect Francois Hollande does not own a car or shares, but is still far from the breadline, according to his new wealth declaration.
READ (1 comments) »
COMMENT »
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UKForex Currency Converter |
- 16/05 Two held for shooting imam in northern Sweden »
- 16/05 Comedian Al Pitcher in the Local Lockdown »
More news from Sweden at thelocal.se
- 16/05 Merkel kicks out minister after election disaster »
- 16/05 Holiday weather offers little to celebrate »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 26/03 Swiss customs seize Roman sarcophagus »
- 26/03 Roche extends hostile $5.7 billion Illumina bid »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.