France!

The French Assembly has approved marriage equality! It is the 14th nation to do so and the third one in about six weeks. Next step is likely a review by the Constitutional Commission to check such a law is possible. This vote is especially important because France has such a large Catholic influence and there have been huge demonstrations against marriage equality. And as the vote neared, there has been a big increase in anti-gay violence and violent threats against lawmakers, such as gunpowder mailed to the president of the Assembly. Some people believe themselves to be a power and do not like that power threatened.