November 14, 2011 | Sex & Society

French mayor pushing for gay marriage

The mayor of a small town in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in south-western France, has presided over a gay wedding, even though same-sex unions are not recognized in his country.

Jean Vila conducted a symbolic union of Patrick, 48, and Guillaume, 37, in an attempt to draw attention to the lack of equality for gays and lesbians. Vila called the ceremony a "militant act."

“There are times when it is necessary to act outside the law," he explained. "Refusing homosexual marriage is to deny the reality of thousands of couples. They say France is a modern, avant garde country, but at this rate we are going to be last in Europe to legalise it.”

Claude Greff, a junior minister for the family, said the ceremony was a “provocation on the eve of the presidential election," and the Solidarity Minister said the ceremony was “not the best way to advance the cause."

In January, the Constitutional Court of France found that the ban on same-sex marriage did not contravene the country's constitution. It said that the issue was the responsibility of France's parliament.

The same month, a poll found 63% of French respondents supported gay marriages.

French mayor performs “militant gay marriage ceremony” [PinkNews]