http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/03/201332418113066935.html
Source: Al Jazeera Author: No Author Listed

Approximately 300,000 marched against a draft bill dubbed the "marriage for everyone" bill which would allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children on Sunday, March 24th in Paris France. The bill has already been approved in the lower house, but is set to be vote on next month by the French Senate. "It was the second such protest this year after a similar march in January highlighted eroding public support for the bill that had forced deputies to put off a plan to allow lesbian couples access to artificial insemination."

The protest started out peaceful, but as the event was winding down, young protesters pushed through police barricades and found ways around barricades through side streets to gain access to Champs-Elysees, which is a popular street for tourists. Police used tear gas to force back protestors, but it proved ineffective as protestors blocked an intersection which provides access to the Presidential Palace.

It never ceases to amaze me just how much time, money and energy some people waste on issues which affect other people who have no bearing on their lives.

Are you against gay marriage? Fine. Then don't get involved romantically with someone of the same sex. It really is that simple to me.

But you know some people just aren't satisfied with the possibility of being thought of as an idiot. They have to say or do something which removes all doubt.

Quote from: StellaB on March 25, 2013, 02:47:55 PM
It never ceases to amaze me just how much time, money and energy some people waste on issues which affect other people who have no bearing on their lives.

Are you against gay marriage? Fine. Then don't get involved romantically with someone of the same sex. It really is that simple to me.

But you know some people just aren't satisfied with the possibility of being thought of as an idiot. They have to say or do something which removes all doubt.

People who want to control the lives of others are most insecure.

Update:

French Senate passes gay marriage bill: France's upper House votes to approve landmark bill granting homosexual couples right to marry and adopt, amid protests.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/04/2013412155436396303.html
Author: Unspecified Source: Al Jazeera (English)

"France's upper House, Senate, has voted to approve a landmark bill granting homosexual couples the right to marry and adopt, after a heated debate and mass protests from conservatives and religious groups. The vote on Friday, by a show of hands, puts the bill on track to become law within weeks after a second reading in the lower House, National Assembly."

"Opponents had said they would organise another mass protest in Paris on May 26 if the law was approved, to demand its withdrawal and a referendum."

--------------

This link here: http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/04/2013411235537971668.html (
Wave of homophobic violence sweeps France:Homosexuals targeted as part of growing wave of violent protest against bill allowing marriage for all reports that there has been an increase of violence against gays since this news broke.

Wow, 300,000 in France? The country known for "love"? Here in the US, the anti-gay people might get, oh I don't know, maybe 12 people to attend?

Must be the Parisian whine....

Oh, I just noticed: the original article is from Al-Jazeera....I'm not really certain that's an unbiased source....Kinda like the 700 Club reporting on gay marriage...

Quote from: Beth Andrea on April 14, 2013, 02:57:21 PM
Wow, 300,000 in France? The country known for "love"? Here in the US, the anti-gay people might get, oh I don't know, maybe 12 people to attend?

Must be the Parisian whine....

Oh, I just noticed: the original article is from Al-Jazeera....I'm not really certain that's an unbiased source....Kinda like the 700 Club reporting on gay marriage...

That's from Al Jazeera English, which isn't as biased as people think. It's regular Al Jazeera that's quite biased. Many of the reporters for the English version are British trained. I've also read more pro-LGBT editorials and news articles from Al Jazeera English than I have from US based news agencies.

I also heard the "300,000" estimate from BBC World Service on the radio. France, despite being known for love, is very Catholic, and in my view from what I've heard from people who's been to France and from listening to the World Service and reading, seem to be quite intolerant people. Here's a link from the BBC where they just say "hundreds of thousands": http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21918524

Quote from: StellaB on March 25, 2013, 02:47:55 PM
It never ceases to amaze me just how much time, money and energy some people waste on issues which affect other people who have no bearing on their lives.

Are you against gay marriage? Fine. Then don't get involved romantically with someone of the same sex. It really is that simple to me.

But you know some people just aren't satisfied with the possibility of being thought of as an idiot. They have to say or do something which removes all doubt.

Stella you said it perfectly.

As for Al Jazera, they might have problems, but I suspect the reporting was reasonably accurate.

NOM is trying to rebrand itself as an international organization.  They see the writing on the wall in the USA - it's going to be hard to be a full-time anti-marriage hate-monger if you limit yourself to the USA.  They are a large part of why the protests were so large in France.

So they are doing what other groups did in Africa (which ultimately created the "kill the gays" bill in Uganda).  They are branching out, hoping to find places less tolerant.  I think France was a bad call on that, but they are trying.  They'll be in Africa soon, trying to stir up anti-gay hate.

Update:
France parliament adopts gay marriage law
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/04/2013423101813582194.html
Author: None listed Source: Al Jazeera

The French parliament on Tuesday approved the bill which would legalize same-sex marriage, now it only needs to be signed by President Hollande, and will face challenge in France's constitutional council which was filed by lawmakers from right-wing parties, though the government is confident the challenge will be dismissed. "It will have a month to make a ruling and opponents are hoping that in the meantime they can build up enough pressure to force Hollande, who has been steadfast in supporting the bill, to back down from signing it. Former president Jacques Chirac shelved an unpopular employment law that had been passed by parliament in 2006, but Hollande is seen as unlikely to follow that precedent."

"Hollande could scarcely have anticipated the scale of the opposition he would face over a reform that initially seemed to enjoy solid majority backing among French voters. . . Gay rights activists are planning a celebratory rally to coincide with the parliamentary vote and opponents will stage protests in Paris and across the country."

--------------------

Cross reference:
Same-sex marriage: French parliament approves new law
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22261494
Source: BBC Author: None listed

"The bill, which also legalises adoption by same-sex couples, was passed by 321 votes to 225 in the French parliament. More protests by supporters and opponents are expected and thousands of police have been deployed in central Paris in preparation. . . Opinion polls suggest a small majority of French people favour gay marriage, but opinion on adoption by same-sex couples is even more divided. " Hollande is expected to sign the bill once it passes the constitutional challenge.

"France is now the 14th country to legalise gay marriage after New Zealand last week."

Update 5/18/13

France legalises same-sex marriage
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/20135185834403828.html
Author: None listed Source: Al-Jazeera English

"French President Francois Hollande has signed a gay marriage and adoption bill into law, a day after the country's Constitutional Council threw out a legal challenge by the conservative opposition. . . Friday's statement by the Constitutional Council, however, said same-sex marriage "did not run contrary to any constitutional principles", and that it did not infringe on "basic rights or liberties or national sovereignty". "

France is now the 14th country to have legalized same-sex marriage.

Quote from: gennee on March 26, 2013, 10:44:15 AM
People who want to control the lives of others are most insecure.

So true.