France's president Francois Hollande has signed into law a bill legalizing gay marriage. The leader made the issue part of his campaign and delivered on it after months of intense debate in the country which included massive protests.
According to France 24, opponents of the bill are not done, scheduling a rally for May 26 in Paris; despite the large turnouts for the opposition, polls show 60% of the French approve of same-sex marriage.
Watchdog group SOS Homophobie, wrote in a statement that France "has taken a great step forward today, although it is regrettable that it was taken in a climate of bad faith and homophobic violence."
In addition to signing the bill, Hollande will oversee the first gay wedding, likely sometime in June, reports the New York Times.
The country also legalized gay adoption, although the country's Constitutional Council notes that it does not establish the "right to a child."
France is the 14th country to legalize gay marriage.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Political News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.