But, “we do not have the financial means of the opposing side,” says Nicolas Gougain, and “it is always easier to rally against than for.”
Before the national mobilization scheduled for January 27, supporters of the bill opening marriage and adoption to homosexual couples rallied this Saturday in about twenty large provincial cities to support the reform and to respond to the show of force by the Anti side on January 13 in Paris.
Despite very unfavorable weather conditions, about 2,000 people (both gay and straight) marched at the call of the LGBT Center Côte d’Azur, supported by unions (CFDT, UNSA, CGT, FSU, Solidaires…), human rights associations (Human Rights League, SOS Racisme…), and also by political parties (Socialist Party, EELV, Left Front…).
The demonstration was exemplary, with no incidents reported from the participants or those observing the procession. Even the slogans remained tasteful, limited to expressing the reasons of the demonstrators.
The official speakers emphasized the objective of the law: The civil recognition by law of their desire for union and the demand for equality for homosexuals. This, say the associations clearly, makes the churches’ positions obsolete and renders their actions unacceptable interference.
Unfortunately, media exposure has turned this bill, dealing with a delicate matter, into an opportunity for confrontations between clericals and seculars as well as between right-wing conservatives and left-wing progressives.
Hence the relevance of a sign displaying this slogan: “Our love will be stronger than your hate!”
And what about the Republic and its values in all of this?
