French decision will ’embarrass’ Australia

Australian marriage equality advocates are calling France’s decision to move on marriage equality laws a further “embarrassment” to Australia and its failure to change the Marriage Act to allow same-sex nuptials.

France is set to join neighbours Belgium and Spain by legalising same-sex marriage following an announcement at the weekend by the new prime minister that legislation had already been drafted.

The reform has the support of the new French president Francois Hollande, whose party is expected to have a majority in both houses of Parliament following elections over the next week.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (pictured) told a French television station last week that a change in legislation to allow gay couples to marry and adopt children will be done “quickly” and that a draft is “ready”.

Gay and straight French couples can currently enter Civil Solidarity Pacts (also known as PACS), but only straight couples can marry.

The pacts afford many legal protections but do not give couples the right to joint adoption or artificial insemination.

“Support for reform is lower in France than it is in Australia, yet their political leaders understand the urgency and importance of equality,” Australian Marriage Equality national convenor Alex Greenwich said.

“The French Government’s decision also highlights that civil unions have not been enough for a country that, like Australia, prides itself on treating everyone equally.

“It’s time for Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to join the majority of Australians and their fellow world leaders by removing discrimination against loving and committed adult same-sex couples.”

European nations that allow gay marriage include Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

Gay marriages will also be allowed in Denmark from June 15.