French mayor refuses to ‘marry’ homosexual couple: risks years in jail

June 12, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The mayor of a small town in France’s Basque region has announced his refusal to carry out a “marriage” between two men who reside in his jurisdiction, becoming the first mayor to defy the country’s new law that applies the name and rights of “matrimony” to couples of the same sex.

Jean-Michel Colo, a conservative who heads the town of Arcangues in the southern Basque region of Pyrenees-Atlantiques, faces the possibility of a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of 75,000 euros (100,000 USD), according to French media sources.   However, he appears to be unafraid of the consequences of his stand, telling the media that he will “go all the way to the gallows” to oppose the law. 

“I don’t give lessons, I’m not inciting other mayors to follow my example, but I won’t enforce an illegitimate law,” says Colo. “My seven councilmen and I are completely in agreement in saying that we will not participate in this charade.”

The mayor’s stand is expected to be only the first of many that are likely to occur under the new law, which went into effect on May 28.  In addition to the town council’s support, Colo says he has received 1,500 messages of support to date.
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