gay marriage

The United Protestant Church of France, with about 250,000 members, said the reform was 'an option' for pastors, and 'not an obligation'.

Mayors and their deputies may no longer invoke freedom of conscience clause to refuse to perform same-sex marriages legalized last May.

Gay couples where one of them is from certain countries that do not recognise same-sex unions have discovered they can't get married in France.

The 60-year-old mayor from south-west France, who faces up to five years in prison, said he would rather serve jail time than marry two men.

President has been accused of failing to take a strong stand to force full equality on to the statute book, including over gay adoption rights.

France's former first lady Carla Bruni says she disagrees with husband Nicolas Sarkozy and supports plans to allow gay marriage and adoption.

France's senior Roman Catholic cleric is accused of "flipping his lid" after warning same-sex marriage would lead to polygamy and incest.