The first baby to be born in France in 2013 has two mothers, at a time when the country grapples with a controversial bill that would allow same-sex marriage, reports The Telegraph.
Sacha was born between midnight and one minute past on January 1, in the central French town of Moulin, becoming the first recorded baby born in mainland France in 2013.
Only the birth mother, identified as Maude, has legal rights over the child since the couple is not married – which would change if the new, "marriage for all" bill passes, as expected, following parliamentary discussions beginning later this month. Maude and her partner, Delphine, said they hoped to marry as soon as it becomes legally possible to do so.
The bill follows a campaign pledge by Francois Hollande, and a majority of the French also support the measure according to polls. However, traditional French Catholics and political conservatives have been outspoken against the gay marriage proposal, and have organised several large protests across France, with the official support of the Church. Rallies in favour of the measure have also gathered in response to the anti-gay marriage backlash, as the issue has become a common dinner-table debate in many homes, often opposing family members and generations.
Today opponents of the bill held a press conference in preparation for their next protest on January 13, coined, "The protest for all."
Its organiser, known as Frigide Barjot, said: "It's more the disappearance of the father, which is the issue today."
Read more of this report from The Telegraph.