Same-sex marriage
All the news and important information on the subject of same-sex or gay marriage in France.
France sees 78 percent rise in homophobic acts
France may have taken the historic step of legalising gay marriage last year, but it appears the landmark social reform came at a cost. The number of reported homophobic acts increased in 2013 by a staggering 78 percent, according to a watchdog group.
'Spy for us or we won’t let you become French'
A young Russian-born student named Anna, desperate to gain French citizenship has become the centre of a scandal in France, after alleging police tried to blackmail her into spying on members of France’s anti-gay marriage movement or face the prospect of being deported.
VIDEO: 250 held as 'Day of Anger' turns violent
A so-called "Day of Anger" protest against President François Hollande turned violent in Paris on Sunday when hundreds of youths clashed with police. Authorities on Monday said 250 protestors were arrested and 19 officers were injured. (SEE VIDEO)
7,000 gay couples tie the knot in France
Thousands of gay-couples have tied the knot in France since the same-sex unions became legal in May last year, new figures show. Since May 2012 7,000 gay couples were wed - around three percent of the total number of marriages in France.
Chickens mob gates of French parliament
We’ve all heard it said that politicians lack courage, but on Wednesday it was the turn of several dozen actual chickens to mob the gates of the French parliament in Paris. Find out what it was all about.
France sees first gay divorce since new law
Just six months after the rancour and celebrations surrounding France’s legalization of gay marriage, the state has received, apparently for the first time, a divorce petition from two young women originally married in the US, it was reported on Tuesday.
Husband to spend first 18 months of marriage in jail
Some marriages hit the rocks quicker than others it seems. A Frenchman was sentenced to 18 months behind bars this week for a violent attack on his new husband, just hours after they had tied the knot.
Photo of the day: 'From Paris With Love'
Some 150 people gathered on Boulevard Lannes in the 16th arrondissement of Paris over the weekend, for a series of public and defiant kisses and embraces. But what was it all in aid of?
Paris bans anti-gay marriage 'pilgrims' demo
A group of anti-gay marriage ‘pilgrims’ have been barred from gathering in Paris this weekend. Police claim they were forced to resort to social networks to discover the group's plans. ‘The Watchmen’ have vowed to assemble anyway.
Anti-gay marriage 'pilgrims' march to Paris
Gay marriage has been legal in France since May, but that’s not stopping a small group of hard-core opponents from setting off on a "pilgrimage" across the country to try to convince "the French people”. They are set to reach Paris in late August.
French mayor 'might marry girls, but not boys'
A mayor in south-western France has stoked controversy by refusing to marry two gay men, while declaring he “might marry two girls.” It's the latest development in a row brewing in France since the legalization of gay marriage in May.
Gay marriage foes set to target Tour de France
Despite already being legalized, and despite the first weddings taking place, French opponents of gay marriage are planning to use the "global visibility" of the Tour de France to publicize their fight, it was announced on Wednesday.
What next for France's gay marriage opponents?
As two men prepare to become France's first married gay couple and the leaders of the anti-gay marriage 'Manif pour Tous' movement renounce the campaign they themselves spearheaded we look at what's next for France's powerful and ever more radical gay marriage opponents.
Hundreds arrested at Paris gay marriage rally
Journalists were attacked, and 350 arrests made in Paris as peaceful protests against gay marriage in Paris on Sunday turned violent. Authorities blamed the trouble on a hardcore group of far-right militants.
Gay marriage row moves on to France's town halls
The French government may still be celebrating the victory of seeing its divisive gay marriage bill finally signed into law but the battle over the issue of same-sex unions in France now looks set to move from a national to a local level.
Hollande set to sign gay marriage into French law
France's highest court the Constitutional Council cleared the divisive gay marriage bill on Friday, paving the way for same sex unions to become legal. Francois Hollande said he would sign the bill into law as soon as Saturday.
Putin warns France after gay marriage vote
President Vladimir Putin on Friday said Russia could change agreements for the adoption of Russian children made with France and other Western states that are legalising gay marriage.
First wedding boutique for gay men set to open
Gay marriage might only have been legalized in France on Tuesday and it hasn’t actually been signed into law yet, but by this weekend gay men hoping to tie the knot can visit a new upscale wedding boutique entirely dedicated to them.
Clashes and celebrations after gay marriage vote
There were contrasting scenes in Paris on Tuesday after the French parliament made history by voting gay marriage into law. While supporters celebrated on one side of the city, elsewhere opponents of the bill clashed violently with police.
French parliament votes to legalize gay marriage
France made history on Tuesday when it became the 14th country to vote gay marriage into law. As supporters of the bill celebrated opponents vowed to continue their protests. French riot police were out in force on Tuesday night.
Live: French parliament adopts gay marriage law
France made history on Tuesday when deputies in the National Assembly voted to legalize gay marriage. With opponents vowing to continue their protests thousands of police have been called in amid fears of trouble. Stay with us for LIVE updates.
'We'll see gay marriage through to the end'
With France’s parliament finally set to approve a divisive gay marriage bill on Tuesday, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, women's rights minister with the Socialist government tells The Local why France will be a better place with same-sex marriage.
Police up security amid 'homophobic' attacks
Amid claims of a sharp rise in homophobic incidents, and after recent high-profile attacks on gay people in Paris and Nice, police in the French capital have stepped up their presence in neighbourhoods popular among the gay community.