Tens of thousands in Paris street for gay marriage

Lesbian couple, wearing a wedding veil, smiles, on December 16, 2012 in Paris during a demonstration for the legalisation of gay marriage and LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) parenting. AFP / FRED DUFOUR

PARIS – Tens of thousands of people supporting the Socialist government’s plan to legalize same-sex marriage and adoptions in France have marched in a Paris demonstration.

President Francois Hollande has said he would enact his “marriage for everyone” plan within a year of taking office last May. The text will go to parliament next month. But vocal opposition from religious leaders, some politicians and parts of rural France has divided the country.

Estimates of those in Sunday’s peaceful march ranged from 60,000 to 150,000 with banners reading “A Gay Marriage Is Better Than A Sad One” or “Single, Free in Solidarity.”

The words “equality” and “choice” dominated the march of male and female couples, children and supporters.