French President François Hollande officially signed a marriage equality bill into law this morning, making France the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage. In addition, all married same-sex couples will now be able to adopt children. 

Hollande is not doing well in terms of public opinion lately, and opponents of LGBT rights have retaliated against the marriage movement with violent protests and attacks. In the face of such adversity, the passing of the law is all the more significant. 

Mr. Hollande signed the bill a day after the Constitutional Council dismissed a legal challenge by the right-wing opposition. “I will ensure that the law applies across the whole territory, in full, and I will not accept any disruption of these marriages,” he said.

Gay rights advocates praised the law, while a watchdog group, SOS Homophobie, said that France “has taken a great step forward today, although it is regrettable that it was taken in a climate of bad faith and homophobic violence.”

Félicitations, mes amis!