France One Step Closer to Gay Marriage

Gay marriage could be legal in France as soon as this summer. France's Senate has passed a bill to allow same-sex marriage as well as adoptions by gay couples, the AP reports. The country has faced widespread protest against gay marriage, already allowed in several other European countries. Today's vote follows on a campaign pledge by President Francois Hollande. Both houses of Parliament will now take up a second reading to consider minor Senate changes to the bill passed in February by the National Assembly, also controlled by a Socialist-led majority. (More France stories.)