France approves gay marriage despite protest

PARIS (AP) — France legalized gay marriage on Tuesday after a wrenching national debate that has exposed deep conservatism in the nation’s heartland and triggered huge protests that tapped into deep discontent with the Socialist government.

Legions of officers with water cannon braced outside the National Assembly for violence that had not come by late evening. The protests against the measure included thousands but were peaceful. Other gatherings were simply celebrations.