French MPs approve bill to allow Gay marriage

France's lower house of parliament has approved a bill to legalise gay marriage and allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

President François Hollande's Socialists pushed the measure through the national assembly, carrying a vote by 329 to 229.


The assembly has been debating the bill and voting on individual articles in recent weeks. The bill now goes to the senate, which is also controlled by the Socialists and their allies.

Polls show most French support legalising gay marriage, though that backing softens when children come into play. There have been demonstrations in recent weeks by opponents of the bill.