Opponents of gay marriage in France
have threatened violence after lawmakers expedited final passage of a
marriage bill.
The French Senate on Friday approved
the bill which seeks to legalize marriage and adoption for gay
couples, joining the National Assembly, which approved the measure in
February.
Minor alterations in the Senate means
the bill must return to the lower house for reconciliation.
Lawmakers were scheduled to consider the changes on May 20 but
announced on Friday that the National Assembly will get the bill next
week.
Opponents, who had planned to stage a
massive protest rally on May 26, cried foul.
“This is a disgrace,” said
Frigide Barjot, the actress-activist who has led the opposition.
“The French people don't want this law, and what do they do? They
speed up its passage. [President Francois] Hollande wants blood, and
he will get it.”
Members
of the conservative UMP Party joined the fray. Deputy Chris
Jacob said in a statement that Hollande risks “a violent
confrontation with the French people,” while deputy Herve Mariton
described the move as “an incitement to civil war.”
(Related: Wilfred
de Bruijn: Marriage debate has increased anti-gay sentiment in
France.)