France lawmakers reject same-sex marriage bill

The French National Assembly yesterday voted 293-222 against a bill which proposed to legalize same-sex marriage. A Conservative political party, The Union for Popular Movement (UMP) lead by French President Nicolas Sarkosy, opposed the bill while the opposition Socialist Party (PS) supported the proposal. At present Same-sex couples can form civil unions in France, but are not eligible for inheritance or joint custody rights.

Constitutional Council of France in January ruled that the country’s same-sex marriage ban does not violate the constitution of the country. Same-sex marriage is legalized in several countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Iceland and Norway. Countries like UK, France and Germany, recognize civil unions between same-sex partners. Same-sex marriage has also been recognized nationwide in Canada and South Africa, Mexico and the US.

Report by Reuben