Opponents of gay marriage in France, ask president Hollande for a national debate

January 15, 2012. (Romereports.com) It's estimated that more than half a million people walked the streets of Paris to speak out against gay marriage and the adoption of children by same sex couples. 

The January 13th protest will now be marked in history. It was actually the country's largest social protest since a 1984 French academic rally. 

The massive outcome is a response to a bill that would change the definition of marriage. That bill will be discussed at the French National Assembly on January 29th.

Even though the biggest outcome was in Paris, other smaller protests  took place in other cities, including Rome. Marie Baret du Couderc helped organize the protest in the Eternal City, near the French embassy by Piazza Farnese.

MARIE BARET DU COUDERC
Coordinator Protest in Rome

“Our French government, along with Justice Minister Mrs. Taubira, has proposed a bill that gives gay couples the right to marry and adopt children. It's a change in our civilization that we simply can not accept.”

Those who oppose the bill say the issue should first be debated publicly by its citizens. At this point, this has not happened. Opponents say president Francois Hollande's team, is dismissing a public debate all together.

MARIE BARET DU COUDERC
Coordinator Protest in Rome

“The first thing we've asked is that this bill be withdrawn. Then we must also point that there has not been a national debate.  Declaring a referendum would be perfect because then all the voices in our country could weigh in and not just a that of a small lobby group.”

So now those who oppose the bill, hope president Hollande's team will listen to their request. Especially since opponents argue that approving the bill would threaten the institution of marriage and of the family in Europe. 

See Video at Rome Reports.