Late this evening, the French Senate passed the hard fought Gay Marriage law by a vote of 179 - 157 all but assuring its passage later this May. John Arivosis announced the ruling a short time ago on Americablog. Here is his interpretation of what happened and what we can now expect.
The French Senate just voted on the most important provision of the proposed gay marriage law, and passed it. That means we’ve basically won – this was the biggest remaining hurdle, and we surmounted it. But there are still a few more steps before gay marriage is legal.
The next step is for the other parts of the law to be voted on (it’s almost like voting on amendments, to put it in American parlance). Anti-gay conservatives have offered hundred of amendments, and the bill has two dozen sections, each needing a vote – so it could be a month or more until it finally “finally” passes the Senate.
After the Senate is done voting on the whole package, it goes back to the Assembly to be promulgated – but that’s basically a formality. Since the Senate didn’t amend the law, as it was passed by the Assembly, it doesn’t have to go back to the Assembly for another vote. (Though a second French contact said the bill had been altered slightly – still, no one is expecting votes to change in the Assembly, where we already won.)
This is basically a done deal and by summertime, France will join the growing number of nations where human rights are respected and love wins out.
Félicitations France. Here's hoping our own country follows you soon.
Via Joe.My.God.