Supporters of Same-Sex Marriage Rally in France

[TotallyOz]

PARIS — Thousands of people marched in Paris on Sunday to show their support for a same-sex marriage bill that lawmakers will begin to debate on Tuesday.

 

Demonstrators waved banners emblazoned with phrases like “Equality of rights is not a threat” and chanted: “What do you want? Equality! When do you want it? Now!” Another placard showed a version of the French government’s seal, but with two Mariannes kissing. Under the words “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” was the slogan “No more, no less!”

 

According to the police, the march attracted about 125,000 people, twice the number that took part in a similar demonstration in mid-December. Two weeks ago, a rally by those opposed to the proposal drew what the police said were 340,000 people into the streets of Paris.

 

François Hollande, the Socialist president, promised during his campaign to legalize gay marriage within a year of taking office in May 2012. And with effective majorities in both houses of Parliament, Mr. Hollande and his government should be able to beat back various efforts by opponents to kill or amend the bill. It has been suggested that even given the long legislative process, the bill could become law as early as May.

 

In contrast to the opponents who demonstrated two weeks ago, many of the marchers on Sunday were relatively young and personally invested in the future of the law.

 

Nicolas Marquart, 37, a physiotherapist, made the trip from Strasbourg with his partner, with whom he is in a “civil solidarity pact,” and another gay couple. “I’m here as a gay man, and because it would be nice, since we are still in the 21st century after all, to see our morals evolve. It would be a good thing to all have the same rights.”

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/world/europe/supporters-of-same-sex-marriage-rally-in-france.html?smid=fb-share&_r=1&

[Guest]

What gets me is why do the estimated 340,000 who oppose this think it's any of their business if other couples get married?

 

I wouldn't dream of going around objecting to heterosexual couples getting married. It's none of my business and there's no disadvantage to any third parties, at least not from the getting married part.

 

Same with gay couples. No disadvantage to any third party, so none of the third parties have any reason to object.

[Guest thaiworthy]

What gets me is why do the estimated 340,000 who oppose this think it's any of their business if other couples get married?

 

Fear. And belief that gayness is a decision, not a trait from birth. Fear of fulfilled threats from God. Especially silly fear of diminishing populations, coupled with fear of gay influences on children.

 

Actually, for all the unwanted children born or aborted, it seems to me another problem could be solved by accepting gayness worldwide: that is providing a home to the children of irresponsible breeders through adoption. That won't happen in my lifetime, still too much fear. But I do believe that nature has a way of sorting things out, and this could be it.

 

The message is clear: If you don't want your accidental newborns, give them to us and we'll give them a good home. After all, isn't this what the opposition has been clamoring for-- marriage with children?