High Court unties first French gay knot

French High Court has rejected what it was France’s first ever gay marriage. The couple got married in a civil ceremony in a Bordeaux town back in the summer 2004 and it has been France’s one and only gay wedding so far.

 

The High Court considered the marriage of Stephane Charpin and Bertrand Charpentier as an unlawful union. The lower court had initially rejected the marriage based on the fact that French legislation grants non-married cohabiting couples (regardless of gender) some rights enjoyed by married couples.

 

Prosecutor Marc Domingo said during an earlier court hearing that it was the parliament, not judges, who should have the final word in any legalization of marriages involving homosexual couples.

 

The couple previously declared they would like to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights.