More than 300,000 rally against same-sex marriage in Paris

People take part in a protest organized by French far-right party Front national (FN) party against same-sex marriage on January 13, 2013, in Paris. / Getty Images

PARIS Holding aloft ancient flags and young children, hundreds of thousands of people converged Sunday on the Eiffel Tower to protest the French president's plan to legalize same-sex marriage and thus allow same-sex couples to adopt and conceive children.

The opposition to President Francois Hollande's plan has underscored divisions among the secular-but-Catholic French, especially more traditional rural areas versus urban enclaves. But while polls show the majority of French still support legalizing gay marriage, that backing gets more lukewarm when children come into play.

The protest march started at three points across Paris, filling boulevards throughout the city as demonstrators walked three miles to the grounds of France's most recognizable monument. Paris police estimated the crowd at 340,000, making it one of the largest demonstrations in Paris since an education protest in 1984.

"This law is going to lead to a change of civilization that we don't want," said Philippe Javaloyes, a literature teacher who bused in with 300 people from Franche Comte in the far east. "We have nothing against different ways of living, but we think that a child must grow up with a mother and a father."

Public opposition spearheaded by religious leaders has chipped away at the popularity of Hollande's plan in recent months. About 52 percent of French favor legalizing gay marriage, according to a survey released Sunday, down from as high as 65 percent in August.

French civil unions, allowed since 1999, are at least as popular among heterosexuals as among gay and lesbian couples. But that law has no provisions for adoption or assisted reproduction, which are at the heart of the latest debate.

Hollande's Socialist Party has sidestepped the debate on assisted reproduction, promising to examine it in March after party members split on including it in the latest proposal. That hasn't assuaged the concerns of many in Sunday's protest, however, who fear it's only a matter of time.

"They're talking about putting into national identity cards Parent 1, Parent 2, Parent 3, Parent 4. Mom, dad and the kids are going to be wiped off the map, and that's going to be bad for any country, any civilization," said Melissa Michel, a Franco-American mother of five who was among a group from the south of France on a train reserved specifically for the protest.

Support for same-sex marriage — and especially adoption by same-sex couples — has been particularly tenuous outside Paris, and people from hundreds of miles from the French capital marched Sunday beneath regional flags with emblems dating back to the Middle Ages, chanting "Daddy, Mommy."

If the French parliament approves the plan, France would become the 12th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and the biggest so far in terms of economic and diplomatic influence.

Harlem Desir, the leader of Hollande's Socialist Party, said the protest would not affect the proposal's progress. The Socialists control Parliament, where the bill is expected to be introduced on Tuesday, with a vote following public debate at the end of January.

"The right to protest is protected in our country, but the Socialists are determined to give the legal right to marry and adopt to all those who love each other," he said. "This is the first time in decades in our country that the right and the extreme right are coming into the streets together to deny new rights to the French."

[CPTALLEN]

does the French know something we don't? after all the French are the most tolerant on lots of social issues Europe.

[ibjackiej]

I believe in God. I believe God destroyed Sodom and Gomorroh. The Bible which I believe teaches God's Word, says God did this because there were no just men in these cities and men were laying with men. God found fault with men laying with men and God being an example, I believe this is wrong as well. I don't believe men and women who have an alternate lifestyle from what is considered the 'norm', should demand to have special recognition based on their sexual preference. It is wrong for me to judge others and I don't think I do, but it is wrong for me to embrace, condone or accept something that God himself does not tolerate. Marriage is ordained by God between men and women. The people who are different should have a legal partership drawn up which outline their rights under the agreement and this document would be as binding as a marriage contract. Besides, why do these partners want a divorce? Only marriage can be ended with a divorce. A partership can be ended as well without a divorce.

[raymailhot]

Redefining a word to make a political statement doesn't make a new human right. People are outraged and it is within their rights to be. It has nothing to do with hate or intolerance, but what they believe is moral!

If you don't agree, then say so without the name calling!

[americalove1]

Good for the protestors!I'm glad to see people stand up for what they believe and not be intimidated by the gay rights bullies.

[boba2222]

There is no room left in this world for the intolerant. There were crowds protesting the end of slavery and interracial marriage. History shows us that the bigots and haters lost on them issue too. If you want to be on the Right side of history, try a little more tolerance. I would not refer to a person fighting for their rights to live their lives like everyone else as "bullies". Only a person full of hate and intolerance would use them words.

[AnotherJean]

How is standing up for equal rights the same as being a bully? Do you think blacks should still be in the back of the bus?

[davis465]

If you don't approve of gay marriage then don't marry a gay person. What's the problem?

[raymailhot]

Don't believe in pedophilia or bestiality either, you have no real point!

[democracy8]

raymailhot: Neither children nor animals can give consent. Therein lies the difference.

[eroteme2]

The French have more merit than I previously believed. Obviously more merit in this regard than the U.S.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

ha ah ha ha ha


From the enlightened country of "brotherly love"

[magnumdr]

Good to see. Some people have the right ideas I see. If you cannot have sex and produce your own family why be Married. This could be two brothers or sisters?. It makes no sense to have two of the same sex people getting married! Can anyone tell me why they should be married if they cannot produce their own children?!

[legacyabq]

Your logic assumes that the only "purpose" of marraige is to produce children. This is false. Many heterosexual couples get married and do NOT have children. Are you saying they are morally wrong?

[davis465]

The reason Johnny 1781 below can't find words to explain his position is because it's pure prejudice, no intelect.

[hypnotoad72]

Good for them.

They can start by not divorcing, and minding their own children.

Bestowing the same tax entitlements to the homosexuals that want to form lifelong partnerships is hardly going to wreck anyone's family. Sorry.

Granted, there aren't many gays who want to marry, but that's another story. (Hint: I'm one such person and I've been called "devolved" because I chose to wait until marriage... meanwhile, I've more strongly considered the ex-gay lifestyle... who said life was easy or simple? The difference is, I stopped caring about ersatz causes.)

[DOGGYPANTS]

Interesting!

Homos vs Heteros? Who will win?

Prejudice works both ways. I heard homos calling heteros " Breeders."

If Homos win, will they suppress Heteros?