This is from the
Reuters article on France's first same-sex marriage performed by a government official (but not sanctioned by the national government):
France Holds First Gay Wedding, Despite Govt. Threat
Sat Jun 5, 9:49 AM ET
By Rebecca Harrison
BEGLES, France (Reuters) - Two men exchanged marriage vows on Saturday in France's first gay wedding, hailed by supporters as a victory for human rights but swiftly denounced by the government as illegal.
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The couple, one dressed in white and one in black, swapped rings, hugs and kisses at a ceremony in the town hall of Begles in southwestern France which prompted a rally of support by drag queens and a protest by conservatives.
Mayor Noel Mamere, who is leading an assault on traditional family values, defied Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin to wed the two men. Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin announced the mayor would face legal action.
I won't claim that gay marriage is "traditional," but "family values," like "terrorist" and "partial-birth abortion," is one of those terms that the media shouldn't be tossing around lightly. It's either in the should be used with great care category, like the former, or in the should never be used category, as with the latter.