Against gay marriage in france
Ten years of gay marriage in France, in graphs
Le Monde takes stock of these ten years during which more than 70,000 same-sex couples possess said 'yes' to each other.
On April 23, 2013, France became the 14th country to legalize marriage for homosexual couples. Following 136 hours of heated debate, the Assemblée Nationale passed the law known as "mariage pour tous" (mariage for all) which also allowed married same-sex couples to adopt children.
Between the union of Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau on May 29, 2013 – the first two men who said "yes" to each other in France – and the end of 2022, 70,658 queer couples have been getting married, according to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
These unions illustrate about 3% of all civil marriages performed over the past 10 years, a stable proportion since the commandment was enacted.
In 2014, 10,522 same-sex couples were united in marriage. The "first year" effect probably played a role: Some couples who had been together for a drawn-out time were waiting for this moment and wanted to make their union official as soon as possible. Thereafter, an average of 6,882 marria
Ten years later, many French mayors who opposed homosexual marriage have reconsidered
On the right, some elected officials have changed their minds, or now officiate at these marriages 'because it is the law.' Others still refuse to do so, entrusting the task to their deputies.
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They have a front-row seat to "marriage for all." And with good reason, since it is French mayors – and their deputies – who contain been performing the ceremonies since the enactment, on May 17, 2013, of the law granting queer marriage. Ten years ago, during the heated debates that preceded the adoption of the bill, some officials loudly declared that they would not carry out such unions. President François Hollande's declaration before the Congress of French Mayors in November 2012, invoking "freedom of conscience" and highlighting the possibility of delegating the task to their deputies, opened the door to this option.
A French Institute of Universal Opinion (IFOP) poll in February 2013 found that 52% of mayors were opposed to the reform. Ten years later, what is the situation? "We see a definite improvement. We have fewer reports of mayors who decline, fewer ceremonies th
Same-sex marriage: French parliament approves new law
The first weddings could take place in June, according to Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.
"We trust that the first weddings will be beautiful and that they'll bring a breeze of happiness, and that those who are opposed to them today will surely be confounded when they are overcome with the happiness of the newlyweds and the families," she told the National Assembly.
Some argue this is the most important social reform in France since the death penalty was banned in 1981, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Paris.
France is now the 14th country to legalise gay marriage after New Zealand last week.
It is also the ninth country in Europe to allow gay marriage after legalisation in the traditionally liberal Netherlands and Scandinavia, but also in strongly Catholic Portugal and Spain. Legislation is also moving through the UK Parliament.
But the measure has aroused stronger than expected opposition in France - a territory where the Catholic Church was consideration to have clueless much of its influence over the public.
In January, a protest in Paris against the bill attracted some 340,000 people according to
Tens of thousands protest lgbtq+ marriage in Paris
After two years out of the spotlight, anti-gay marriage movement "Manif Pour Tous" (Protest for Everyone) was reactivated on Sunday. According to police figures, between 23,000 and 24,000 people gathered at the Trocadero Plaza in western Paris to protest against France's same-sex marriage laws. Organizers, however, put the turnout at approximately 200,000.
Protesters marched through the streets waving French flags and the movement's blue and pink colors. Some held signs declaring "All together for the family" and "In 2017, I'll vote for the family."
"Even if the gay marriage regulation has been adopted, we will continue the activism to show that it is not good and we want it to be repealed. We desire to influence the political debate that will hold place in the coming months," said one protester.
A 29-year-old man told news agency AFP that he was protesting because he wanted a "return to the principles of Christian civilization in terms of family, institutions and work."
France: Cultural Rift over Same-sex attracted Marriage
'Marriage for all'
France's Socialist government legalized same-sex marriage, which it called "Marriage for All,
Marriage Equality Around the World
The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and share tools, resources, and lessons learned to authorize movements for marriage equality.
Current State of Marriage Equality
There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions.
Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in 2025
Liechtenstein: On May 16, 2024, Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effect January 1, 2025.