The Local France

Officials censor 'lesbian kiss' ad in French town

Fri, 30 May 2014 19:08:00 +0200

Gay activists are outraged after officials in a Paris suburb ordered the removal of artsy advertisements which appeared to show two stunning women about to kiss. But wait, it gets even worse.

Hollande's u-turn shows 'disdain for lesbians'

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:38:00 +0100

Gay rights groups and leftist political parties slammed the French government on Tuesday for an apparent u-turn on legislation that would have legalized medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples. Conservatives however were heralding a victory.

Hollande puts off family law to avoid new fight

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 19:58:00 +0100

A day after massive protests over President François Hollande's "family phobia", his government on Monday abruptly postponed plans to pass a controversial new family bill, that would likely have picked another fight with France's traditional conservatives.

The lesbian icon turned 'homophobic' villain

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 18:45:00 +0200

She shot to fame in May for playing a blue-haired lesbian in the award-winning 'Blue is the Warmest Colour,' but this week, Léa Seydoux was at the centre of a 'lesbophobia' storm when she implied that lesbians were not as beautiful as straight women.

Lesbian parents forced to accept rights of father

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 19:51:00 +0200

A lesbian couple in the western city of Nantes were angered this week after a French court made a controversial decision to recognise the parental rights of their child's biological father, who when he donated his sperm had promised to waive all rights to the child.

'Gay friendly' docs and lawyers listed in France

Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:36:00 +0200

A French entrepreneur is tapping into a niche market following France's historic legalisation of gay marriage in May. He has set up a website that contains a database of "gay friendly" doctors and lawyers and says it is necessary to help gay people "assert their rights".

New charity helps French asexuals come out

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:26:00 +0200

France might pride itself on its reputation for love and seduction, but it is also home to a hidden minority of asexuals. As Friday marks the country's first Asexuality Day, a new organization has been set up to raise awareness.

Gay marriage row moves to French parliament

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:44:00 +0100

After the mass street protests and months of rancorous debate, proposals to allow gay couples to marry and adopt children will finally be debated in the French parliament on Tuesday.

Sex-change woman still a man on marriage certificate

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:24:00 +0200

A court in Rennes has ruled that a transsexual woman can now be officially recognised as female – but her new gender cannot appear on her marriage certificate.

Lesbian couple denied right to adopt

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:16:00 +0100

A gay French woman was not discriminated against when she was denied the ability to adopt the daughter of her long-term partner, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday.