France: Gay marriage law is signed by Hollande

A LAW authorising gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples has been signed by French president Francois Hollande.

France has become the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage. Picture: Getty

It has been reported that the first gay marriages could take place in France within around 10 days.

The law was formally approved by the French parliament in April, after the bill was passed with 331 votes for versus 225 against.

The move to allow same-sex marriage, or ‘marriage for all’, was a flagship reform pledged by Hollande.

Earlier this year, several hundred thousand protesters gathered in Paris in order to protest Hollande’s plan to legalise gay marriage.

Other protests in the country turned violent, and the country saw a rise in homophobic attacks.

Though there was opposition to the bill, others such as the former French first lady Carla Bruni publically voiced their support.

Today’s events have made France the 14th country in the world to legalise gay marriage.