French Council to Hear Marriage Case

The highest authority on constitutional questions in France will soon hear the case of a lesbian couple challenging the country's ban on same-sex marriage.

Pink News reports on the development in the case of Corinne Cestino and Sophie Hasslau, a pediatrician and English teacher with four children who live outside Reims. The couple entered into a civil union a decade ago, and launched their bid to question the constitutionality of the country's same-sex marriage position in May.

"On 16 November, the Court of Cassation referred the case to the highest constitutional authority in France, citing an 'issue of constitutionality' on Articles 75 and 144 of the Civil Code, which exclude the civil marriage of same sex," reports Pink News.

A statement from the council is expected on January 28.

Last year, the council declined to decide the issue of discrimination in same-sex adoption, saying it was a matter for the legislature to decide.