The French Senate took a major step toward embracing marriage equality late Tuesday, when it approved an article establishing gender-neutral language to refer to spouses by a margin of 179-157, according to San Diego Gay and Lesbian News.
SDGLN’s Editor in Chief Ken Williams writes, “Gay and lesbian couples in France most likely will be able to marry by summer, though a specific date will not be announced until the marriage bill is signed into law.”
Currently, marriage equality is offered in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and parts of the United States, Mexico and Brazil. It just cleared the House in Uruguay and its president Jose Mujica is expected to sign it into law this month.
Evan Wolfson, founder and president of U.S.-based Freedom to Marry, says, “France is poised to become the latest country—16 on four continents—where loving and committed gay couples can share in the freedom to marry, and it won’t be the last this year. Like France, the United States extols liberty, equality and fairness; it is time for our country, too, to end the denial of marriage and live up to our best values.”
Uruguay Becomes Latest Country In The World To Legally Recognize Gay Marriage
Photo by Fete in France
