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France's parliament to debate gay marriage bill France's parliament to debate gay marriage bill
(about 5 hours later)
The French National Assembly is due to debate the legalisation of same-sex marriage after months of impassioned public protests and counter-protests. The French National Assembly is due to begin a marathon debate on legalising same-sex marriage after months of public protests and counter-protests.
The bill, promised by President Francois Hollande during his election campaign last year, allows for same-sex marriage and adoption by gay parents.The bill, promised by President Francois Hollande during his election campaign last year, allows for same-sex marriage and adoption by gay parents.
Mr Hollande's Socialists and their allies command enough parliamentary support to see it through.Mr Hollande's Socialists and their allies command enough parliamentary support to see it through.
However, opponents have outnumbered supporters at recent demonstrations.However, opponents have outnumbered supporters at recent demonstrations.
Between 340,000 and 800,000 people surged into Paris on 13 January for a rally against gay marriage, compared to between 125,000 and 400,000 who turned out on Sunday to support the bill.Between 340,000 and 800,000 people surged into Paris on 13 January for a rally against gay marriage, compared to between 125,000 and 400,000 who turned out on Sunday to support the bill.
The size of popular opposition and slickness of the "anti" campaign have surprised many, correspondents say.The size of popular opposition and slickness of the "anti" campaign have surprised many, correspondents say.
The antis have certainly been emboldened by the success of their 13 January demonstration.The antis have certainly been emboldened by the success of their 13 January demonstration.
They argue that to extend full-blown marriage to gay people is to play sorcerer's apprentice with the most important building-block of society.They argue that to extend full-blown marriage to gay people is to play sorcerer's apprentice with the most important building-block of society.
They say that the right to gay adoption will remove from children the fundamental right to have a father and a mother.They say that the right to gay adoption will remove from children the fundamental right to have a father and a mother.
However for all the spring in their stride, opponents of gay marriage are also aware that their chances of blocking France's law are small at best.However for all the spring in their stride, opponents of gay marriage are also aware that their chances of blocking France's law are small at best.
One reason is that gay marriage was clearly presented in President Hollande's election manifesto last May. The French people cannot argue that it has been foisted upon them unexpectedly.One reason is that gay marriage was clearly presented in President Hollande's election manifesto last May. The French people cannot argue that it has been foisted upon them unexpectedly.
Nonetheless, opinion polls suggest that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, though only about 50% approve of gay adoption.Nonetheless, opinion polls suggest that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, though only about 50% approve of gay adoption.
'Equality in love' Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he expected the debate to harden on the right and accepted that some Socialist deputies might abstain from voting.
It is expected that the legislation will reach the statue books by the middle of the year, France's AFP news agency reports. Bridge banners
Ahead of the debate, protesters hung banners from dozens of Parisian bridges with slogans such as "A father and a mother, it's simple" and "All born of a mother and father".
"Ours is a movement for freedom of expression, for the freedom of conscience," the movement's figurehead, Frigide Barjot, told France's AFP news agency, calling for a free vote on the bill.
It is expected that the legislation will reach the statue books by the middle of the year, AFP reports.
The Socialists enjoy an outright majority in parliament and the bill is also supported by the Greens, Communists and some centrists.The Socialists enjoy an outright majority in parliament and the bill is also supported by the Greens, Communists and some centrists.
In a measure of the bitterness of the public debate, Serge Dassault, CEO of the Dassault industrial group and a conservative politician, predicted in November that gay marriage would lead to the decline of the French nation, like the peoples of ancient Greece.In a measure of the bitterness of the public debate, Serge Dassault, CEO of the Dassault industrial group and a conservative politician, predicted in November that gay marriage would lead to the decline of the French nation, like the peoples of ancient Greece.
"We'll have a country of gays and in 10 years there'll be nobody left - that's stupid," the senator for the centre-right UMP party said."We'll have a country of gays and in 10 years there'll be nobody left - that's stupid," the senator for the centre-right UMP party said.
In September, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Lyon, argued that plans to redefine the concept of marriage would open the door to incest and polygamy.In September, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Lyon, argued that plans to redefine the concept of marriage would open the door to incest and polygamy.
Bertrand Delanoe, mayor of Paris and one of France's few openly gay politicians, retorted that the cardinal must have "freaked out".Bertrand Delanoe, mayor of Paris and one of France's few openly gay politicians, retorted that the cardinal must have "freaked out".
Speaking about Sunday's rally in Paris, Mr Delanoe said: "There is a big difference between today's march and the one two weeks ago, which is that this demonstration is one of brotherhood, not of hatred.Speaking about Sunday's rally in Paris, Mr Delanoe said: "There is a big difference between today's march and the one two weeks ago, which is that this demonstration is one of brotherhood, not of hatred.
"The majority of French people wants all couples to have equality in love and parenthood.""The majority of French people wants all couples to have equality in love and parenthood."
The debate in parliament is expected to last two weeks and marks one of France's biggest social reforms since the abolition of the death penalty in 1981.The debate in parliament is expected to last two weeks and marks one of France's biggest social reforms since the abolition of the death penalty in 1981.