Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

French Court Allows Franco-Moroccan Gay Marriage

by Bidita Debnath on October 23, 2013 at 11:46 PM
 French Court Allows Franco-Moroccan Gay Marriage

Going against a government ruling that homosexuals from Morocco and 10 other countries cannot tie the knot, a French court gave the go-ahead for a Franco-Moroccan gay couple to marry.

France legalised same-sex marriage in May after months of intense and sometimes violent protests, and the couple -- Dominique and Mohammed -- immediately got to work planning their official union for September in the town of Jacob-Bellecombette in the Alps.

Advertisement

But just two days before the wedding, prosecutors in the nearby city of Chambery ruled it could not go ahead.

They cited a government circular stating that nationals from 11 countries, including Morocco, Poland and Laos, were not allowed to marry people of the same sex in France.
Advertisement

All 11 ban gay marriage and had signed agreements with France whereby a citizens in a binational couple must obey his or her own nation's marriage law.

But on October 11, a court in Chambery ruled that Dominique and Mohammed -- who asked for their last names not to be published -- could marry.

That court pointed to a clause in the agreement with Morocco that exempts France from having to comply with Morocco's national marriage laws if they are "obviously incompatible with public order."

An appeal lodged by prosecutors was rejected on Tuesday, a decision that could create a precedent and allow gay citizens of the 11 countries concerned to tie the knot in France.

Legalising gay marriage was an election pledge of Socialist President Francois Hollande, who faced a huge backlash from the opposition right and the powerful Catholic Church.

The first gay marriage in France was held on May 29 in the southern city of Montpellier, which has a gay-friendly reputation.

But many die-hards have continued to oppose the measure. Some mayors argue that the lack of an opt-out violates the French constitution, which stipulates that freedom of conscience is a fundamental human right.

Several have refused to conduct gay marriages on the grounds it goes against their beliefs, but on Friday, the Constitutional Council -- France's top court -- ruled they cannot do this.

One gay couple in the southwestern town of Arcangues, where the mayor repeatedly refused to marry them, has now decided to sue him for damages.

Source: AFP
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Social Media Reshapes New Parenting Journeys
Amid the challenges of caring for newborns and toddlers, a study notes a rising trend of new parents seeking social media's help for managing their children.
Social Isolation With No Family & Friends Visits Linked to Mortality Risk
Lack of friends and family visits is tied to a 39% increased risk of mortality that can be used to develop effective therapies associated with social isolation.
Sunscreen & Its Pseudoeffects of Sun Protection
Compared to wearing sun-protective clothes and avoiding the sun, using sunscreen is the least effective way to prevent sunburn on the skin.
How Fruit & Vegetable Microbiomes Benefit Human Gut Health?
Bacterial diversity in the human gut is benefited by eating fruit and vegetables with microorganisms of probiotic and health-promoting characteristics.
Surprising Independence of Weight Loss
New research challenges the common notion that couples achieve better weight loss results.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

French Court Allows Franco-Moroccan Gay Marriage Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests