CNN is reporting that in spite of massive protests against same-sex marriage, the nation's lawmakers approved a marriage bill which will give same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt children. The final vote was 331 in favor and 225 opposed.
French president Francois Hollande, whose popularity is already at an all-time low, will have to sign the bill before it becomes law. Hollande pledged his support for same-sex marriage on the campaign trail less than a year ago.
After the vote, a legal challenge was filed by a group of senators with the country's Constitutional Council. The court has a month to rule on the challenge.
As expected, the news caused a rash of angry demonstrations by citizens who are opposed to same-sex marriage.
"Clashes broke out between protesters and riot police near France's lower house of parliament late on Tuesday just hours after the country legalized gay marriage, with opponents of the law hurling projectiles at police, who responded with tear gas," France 24 reports.
From Paris, National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent Eleanor Beardsley said President Hollande was calling for calm, saying the new law is about equality, not about stripping anyone else's rights.
"But those opposing the measure, say it destroys the family structure and is dangerous for children because it deprives them of the right to a mother and father," Eleanor reports.
In spite of Hollande's reassurances, in countries where same-sex marriage laws have passed, they have led to encroachments on the civil rights of anyone who opposes it, including those who oppose it on religious grounds.
Since the debate began over same-sex marriage in France, several demonstrations against the law have drawn millions into the streets, with the planning of more protests already underway.
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