In the final comment, by tracing the evolutionary direction of French law concerning LGBT rights, a case can be made that gay marriage is consistent with French culture and values, especially in terms of tolerance, open-mindedness, and respect for personal rights to privacy. By the end of the 18th century, acknowledgement of the right to privacy influenced French cultural values and the shift towards acceptance of homosexuality. Just decades later, age of consent legislation, 1832 and 1963, did not discriminate against homosexuals. It, therefore, demonstrated French tolerance and respect for the privacy rights of others. Further, the Vichy ruling in 1942 to raise the age of consent for homosexuals to twenty-one can be interpreted, not as a regressive move, but rather as a reflection of French reactionary impulses against the Nazi antithesis of humanistic open-mindedness, tolerance, and a free society. As yet another piece of evidence, the cultural values and acceptance of homosexuality are so prevalent in France that even traditionally conservative Muslims are influenced by them. And further, when one recognizes the real reason for the recent protests, i.e., to protect children, the argument still stands. Gay marriage is consistent with French culture and values for tolerance, open-mindedness, and respect for personal rights to privacy.
Works Cited
Butt, Riazat. "Muslims in Britain have zero tolerance of homosexuality, says poll." The Guardian. 7 May 2009. Web. 4 May 2013. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/07/muslims-britain-france-germany-homosexuality>.
Cody, Edward. "Straight Couples in France Are Choosing Civil Unions Meant for Gays." The Washington Post. 14 Feb. 2009. Web. 4 May 2013. .
Gunther, Scott Eric. The Elastic Closet. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 2009. Print.
Hughes, Alexandra and Keith A. Reader (eds.). Encyclopedia of Contemporary French Culture. 2d ed. New York: Routledge, 2002. Print.
Merrick, Jeffrey W. and Bryant T. Ragan, Jr. Homosexuality in Modern France. New York: Oxford University Press. 1996. Print.
Pathe, Simone. "Gay Marriage Approval Doesn't Quell Protests in France." The Rundown. 25 Apr. 2013. PBS.org. Web. 4 May 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/04/gay-marriage.html>.
2
