More than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets in France against plans to redefine marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt. Many carried signs with slogans like, “One child (equals) one father + one mother.”
Police said at least 70,000 demonstrators gathered in Paris. Another 30,000 held similar demonstrations around the country, including inLyon, Toulouse and Marseille.
The “March for Everyone,” included Catholic groups and other supporters of family rights.
President promises change
President Francois Hollande has promised to change the French law on marriage.
The French government approved a bill on the issue earlier this month which will be debated by parliament in January, despite opposition from more than 1,000 mayors and the Catholic Church.
France already has civil unions for same-sex couples, but the redefinition of marriage was a campaign pledge of Mr Hollande before he was elected in May.
Pink protests
Protesters in Paris wore pink T-shirts and scarves and carried pink balloons emblazoned with images of a man and woman holding two children's hands.
"A child needs a father and a mother, he needs the paternal and the maternal side and with this bill that might not be possible any more," said one protestor, Marthe Vignault.
"That's the way it is and we can't go against nature."
“Ultimate deceit”
Reports say the issue is one of the most divisive Mr Hollande has faced. The head of the French Council of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, recently described same-sex marriage as "the ultimate deceit".
The current law in France only allows married couples, not civil partners, to adopt. If the bill passes in France, then the country will join other European nations like Sweden and the UK where same-sex couples can adopt children.
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