French lawmakers approve same-sex marriage bill

Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
4 minute read
Updated 7:21 AM EDT, Wed April 24, 2013
Protesters stand in the street as they face riot police on Sunday, May 26, in Paris on the sidelines of demonstrations against a gay marriage law legalizing same-sex marriage and adoptions for gay couples. President Francois Hollande s<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/18/world/europe/france-same-sex-marriage/index.html">igned the measure into law</a> on May 18 following months of bitter debate and demonstrations, including <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/21/world/europe/france-cathedral-death/index.html">a suicide </a>at Notre Dame Cathedral in the name of protesting same-sex marriage.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Protesters stand in the street as they face riot police on Sunday, May 26, in Paris on the sidelines of demonstrations against a gay marriage law legalizing same-sex marriage and adoptions for gay couples. President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law on May 18 following months of bitter debate and demonstrations, including a suicide at Notre Dame Cathedral in the name of protesting same-sex marriage.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather and sit on the ground as riot police surround them on May 26. Tens of thousands marched through Paris today to protest the law.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Protesters gather and sit on the ground as riot police surround them on May 26. Tens of thousands marched through Paris today to protest the law.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters stand in a cloud of tear gas on May 26.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Protesters stand in a cloud of tear gas on May 26.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police stand in a line facing protesters on May 26.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Riot police stand in a line facing protesters on May 26.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Police clash with and arrest protesters on May 26.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Police clash with and arrest protesters on May 26.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Riot policemen face off with protesters on May 26.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Riot policemen face off with protesters on May 26.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police arrest a protester on May 26.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Riot police arrest a protester on May 26.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
Opponents of the law demonstrate in front of the headquarters of the Grand Orient de France, a Masonic order, in Paris on Friday, May 24.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Opponents of the law demonstrate in front of the headquarters of the Grand Orient de France, a Masonic order, in Paris on Friday, May 24.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
A member of the FEMEN feminist activist group with writing on her chest reading "May fascists rest in hell" is arrested by police officers after taking part in a protest at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Wednesday, May 22. The protesters were demonstrating against the suicide of a far-right activist inside the cathedral the previous day.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
A member of the FEMEN feminist activist group with writing on her chest reading "May fascists rest in hell" is arrested by police officers after taking part in a protest at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Wednesday, May 22. The protesters were demonstrating against the suicide of a far-right activist inside the cathedral the previous day.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
French police stand outside Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, May 21, following the evacuation of the cathedral after a man shot himself dead in front of the altar. Historian and writer Dominique Venner killed himself in front of horrified tourists after denouncing same-sex marriage and immigration.
Photos: Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
French police stand outside Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, May 21, following the evacuation of the cathedral after a man shot himself dead in front of the altar. Historian and writer Dominique Venner killed himself in front of horrified tourists after denouncing same-sex marriage and immigration.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images
People holding rainbow flags attend the event Concert pour tous! (Concert for all!) on May 21 at Place de la Bastille square in Paris. The concert was a countermovement in reference to the French anti-gay marriage movement Manif pour tous (Demonstration for all), and celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
People holding rainbow flags attend the event Concert pour tous! (Concert for all!) on May 21 at Place de la Bastille square in Paris. The concert was a countermovement in reference to the French anti-gay marriage movement Manif pour tous (Demonstration for all), and celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage.
KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images
Bare-chested men wearing white masks, members of anti-gay group Hommen, shout slogans as they are detained in a police bus during a demonstration against a bill legalizing same-sex marriages on May 17 in Paris.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Bare-chested men wearing white masks, members of anti-gay group Hommen, shout slogans as they are detained in a police bus during a demonstration against a bill legalizing same-sex marriages on May 17 in Paris.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Members of groups opposing same-sex marriage gather on Thursday, May 16, in front of the Sorbonne in Paris.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Members of groups opposing same-sex marriage gather on Thursday, May 16, in front of the Sorbonne in Paris.
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images
People celebrate at Paris City Hall on Tuesday, April 23, after the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/23/world/europe/france-same-sex-vote/index.html">French National Assembly adopted a bill legalizing same-sex marriage</a> and adoptions for gay couples.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
People celebrate at Paris City Hall on Tuesday, April 23, after the French National Assembly adopted a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and adoptions for gay couples.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters cheer in front of the Paris City Hall on April 23. If the measure is enacted, France would be the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Supporters cheer in front of the Paris City Hall on April 23. If the measure is enacted, France would be the ninth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
People unfurl a rainbow banner in Toulouse on April 23 after the lower house vote.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
People unfurl a rainbow banner in Toulouse on April 23 after the lower house vote.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of same-sex marriage pose for photos during Tuesday's celebrations in Paris.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Supporters of same-sex marriage pose for photos during Tuesday's celebrations in Paris.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP/Getty Images
Opponents of same-sex marriage shout slogans and wave French national flags in Lyon on April 23.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Opponents of same-sex marriage shout slogans and wave French national flags in Lyon on April 23.
JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images
Activists opposed to same-sex marriage demonstrate on Concorde Square in Paris on April 23.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Activists opposed to same-sex marriage demonstrate on Concorde Square in Paris on April 23.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images
Opponents of same-sex marriage protest at the National Assembly in Paris on April 23.
Protests over France's same-sex marriage bill —
Opponents of same-sex marriage protest at the National Assembly in Paris on April 23.
Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images