On Wednesday, May 17, thousands of same-sex couples applauded as loud music filled the air in central Paris to commemorate ten years since gay marriage became legal in France.
Paris-based lesbian pair Isabelle Scharff and Catherine Pommier were able to exchange vows in 2013 after being together for 15 years.
After embracing her spouse, Pommier told Reuters, “For us, this is about getting recognition for our love, for our relationship, and of the fact that now, we’re just like any other couple in France,”
On May 17, 2013, France passed a bill making it lawful for same-sex couples to be married and adopt children together, making it the thirteenth country worldwide to do so.
The first same-sex union thus occurred in France on May 29, 2013, in Montpellier.
