Paris: Over 100,000 show support for same-sex marriage in France

The streets of Paris were filled today by over 100,000 supporters for the passage of marriage equality there.

From the New York Times:

Demonstrators waved banners emblazoned with phrases like "Equality of rights is not a threat" and chanted: "What do you want? Equality! When do you want it? Now!"

Another placard showed a version of the French government’s seal, but with two Mariannes kissing. Under the words "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was the slogan "No more, no less!"

According to the police, the march attracted about 125,000 people, twice the number that took part in a similar demonstration in mid-December. Two weeks ago, a rally by those opposed to the proposal drew what the police said were 340,000 people into the streets of Paris.

In contrast to the opponents who demonstrated two weeks ago, many of the marchers on Sunday were relatively young and personally invested in the future of the law.

Nicolas Marquart, 37, a physiotherapist, made the trip from Strasbourg with his partner, with whom he is in a "civil solidarity pact," and another gay couple. "I'm here as a gay man, and because it would be nice, since we are still in the 21st century after all, to see our morals evolve. It would be a good thing to all have the same rights."

Other estimates say today's crowd may have been as large as 400,000.  

(via Towleroad)