France’s high court has ruled last month’s same-sex marriage law constitutional, making France the 14th country in the world to legalize the practice. By the end of the month, President Francois Hollande is expected to sign the bill into law, initiating one of the biggest social reforms in the last decades. Hollande made legalizing gay marriage one of his campaign promises last year. The legislation was passed last month by both houses of Parliament, which are majority leftist. However, legislators from the right, led by the conservative UMP party, challenged the constitutionality of the law. The Constitutional Council rejected their motion. 

The ruling comes amidst a heated national debate over legalizing same-sex marriage. Opponents of the law say they are concerned it will encourage medically assisted procreation for couples and the use of surrogate mothers. Both of these practices are illegal in France. The bill has also been criticized by France’s top Catholic Bishop, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois. 

Ever since the surfacing of the issue, France has seen a growing number of anti-gay protests, which at times have turned violent. Last month, at least twelve people were arrested in Paris as anti-gay protesters clashed with riot police. Furthermore, in April, French police reported an increase in homophobic attacks against both property and people. 

SEE ALSO: France Passes Same-Sex Marriage Bill

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