French Watchdog Upholds Marriage Ban

Laws that prohibit marriage equality in France do not violate the constitution, the country’s top constitutional watchdog ruled Friday.

According to the Associated Press, the Constitutional Council said it is up to the French parliament to make laws.

“It noted that its job is to simply rule on whether a measure abides by the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the French Constitution,” reports the AP. “In this case, it ruled that the articles in question are, indeed, ‘in conformity with the constitution.’”

The decision leaves open the option for a future constitutional amendment, which means hope for Corinne Cestino and Sophie Hasslauer (pictured), the lesbian couple who had challenged the constitutionality of the marriage ban.