Sexual repressions and strict moral codes are not usually synonymous with France. After all this is the country that has given us the De Sade, and a general sense that sexual freedom is very important.
And yet, France is failing in one area, dismally. It is allowing a homophobic trend that is a stain in the face of a nation that is otherwise considered as one of the most open and civilized in the world.
The Senate in France is just now considering the legalization of same sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. And the action has brought to light a hidden secret no one truly wanted to reveal.
Two organizations in France SOS Homophobie and Le Refuge have noticed a dangerous uptick in the number of young men seeking help because they have either been thrown out of the home or otherwise persecuted for their orientation, an increase of 30% of distress calls in total.
And it seems that the debate in the government has exacerbated the attitude of those who are homophobic. Even those people who had been accepted in their communities have seen a change in the attitude of the people in their neighborhood.
The vote in the Senate is due on April 4. The gay community can only hope that if the law is passed, it would at least afford them some protection, if not change the opinion of some.
Source : France 24/ 4.1.13
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