Despite vocal opposition from anti-gay protestors across the country, France has become the 14^th country to legalise same-sex marriage.

Quickly following New Zealand in the law change, members of parliament voted 331 to 225 in favour of the legislation. In the final reading of the lower house, the National Assembly also voted to allow same-sex adoption.

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Despite rampant opposition, the French Justice Minister, Christiane Taubira, labelled the new legislation as a historic moment.

“It grants new rights, stands firmly against discrimination (and) testifies to our country’s respect for the institution of marriage”.

French President Hollande’s ‘Marriage for All’ law reform has divided the nation in the last few months, with protests and counter protests creating disorder on the streets of major cities throughout France.

Opponents to the law have vowed to press on in attempts to halt the law change; a constitutional challenge has already been filed.

Outside the house of parliament LGBT advocates rejoiced with the announcement, Nicolas Gougain, a spokesman for Inter-LGBT, welcomed the change.

“This law takes no rights away from anyone, it only grants rights to others. This is liberation after years of fighting for equality”, he said.

“This is a victory for equality, for democracy and for coexistence”.

Watch scenes from an anti-gay marriage rally below.

Warning: This video involves nudity and violence.

Nadine Walker