The French lower legislative house, the National Assembly, has voted against a Bill that would have legalised homosexual marriage, voting 293 – 222 against the proposal on 14th June.
Michel Difenbacher, of the majority party UMP, said that he did not think it was necessary “to go with the wind nor to cede to fashion”, adding “We are against homophobia but we do not want to alter the image and function of marriage”.
The ruling comes after the nation’s highest court ruled in January that homosexual marriage is not a constitutional right.
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The National Assembly has recognised that true marriage, the building block of society, is between one man and one woman. Any attempt to redefine it will have dire consequences on wider society.
“I admire their courage in voting against this Bill in the face of continued pressure for change.”
France was the first European country to allow civil partnerships in 1999. In the UK, the Government recently announced its intention to consult on whether to introduce full homosexual marriage.
Lynne Featherstone MP, Minister for Equalities, wrote to her supporters:
“The government has recognised the desire to have full and equal civil marriage and partnerships, and will begin working with those who have an interest on how legislation might develop in this area to see how this can be taken forward.”
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