France push ahead on gay marriage bill

French President Francois Hollande’s Cabinet pushed ahead with a controversial bill today that could see gay marriage legalised early next year, defying vocal opposition in the majority Catholic country from religious leaders, the rural heartland and the conservative opposition.

The French leader’s top ministers approved the bill legalising marriage and adoption for same-sex couples, sending it to the legislature for debate, only one day after two American states – Maine and Maryland – became the first in the US to approve same-sex marriage in a popular vote.