French Parliament Passes Marriage Bill 329-229!

As expected, the French National Assembly has given final passage to a bill that opens up marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples. The vote tally was 329 pour (for) and 229 votes "contre" (against).

The BBC reports:

The assembly had already approved a key article that redefined marriage as a contract between two people rather than between a man and a woman.

The Senate - which is also dominated by the Socialists and their allies - is thought likely to back the measure, which will become law by May or June, our correspondent says.

France would then join 11 other countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

The marriage law is seen as France's most important social reform in France since the abolition of the death penalty in 1981.

The bill now goes to the upper house, the French Senate, where the debate will begin on March 18.

Hat/tip to Joe.My.God.