France became the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage on Saturday as President Francois Hollande signed into law a bill that allows the same, after the Constitutional Council okayed the measure a day before.
The move, which came after months of protests and debate, also legalizes adoption by gay couples. Legalizing gay marriage was one of the campaign pledges of the Socialist president last year.
The Constitutional Council threw out a challenge against the law on May 17, which is the International Day Against Homophobia. The first marriage under the new law is set to take place by the end of this month, reports said.
France is a predominantly Catholic country. Conservatives and religious groups have held protests against the bill, which turned violent sometimes. Opponents are determined to continue the fight and have called for yet another protest in Paris on May 26.
Thus far, 13 nations including Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Brazil and Canada have legalized same-sex marriage. Some states in the U.S. and some parts of Mexico also recognize gay marriage, while New Zealand and Uruguay are set to legalize the marriage in August this year.
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