The acceptance of homosexuality in France

Thèmes abordés

Homosexuality - France - religion

Résumé du document

These days, France has attended mass protests concerning the issue of the acceptance of homosexual families. Indeed, on the one hand, there are proponents of gay marriage, and another anti gay marriage.
The state is in the middle of this conflict, and seeks to pass legislation that could reconcile the two parties. We will discuss in this paper about the issues of homophobic discrimination, then about solutions that French state has made to promote the homosexual community.

The limits of homosexuality are not clearly defined. Homosexuality can be defined as an attraction between two people of the same sex. Since ancient times, homosexuality has always been considered as something abnormal or an illness. The world today want to be modern, but in France, some minds are stuck on tradition and religion. Homosexuality was consider in France as a crime until the French Revolution of 1789.

Extraits

[...] Historically, homosexuals are forced into hiding. They are abused and teased. Population considers homosexuality as a problem, a shame. One discrimination is about business. Indeed, a gay man does not have access to the same career path as a heterosexual man. He would be disadvantaged, would not have the same opportunities for promotions, would have even lower wages compared to a heterosexual man. Conversely, homosexual women, often considered as women characters and without children, thus having less personal responsibility, would get important tasks and climb the social ladder faster. [...]

[...] In 1968, homosexuality is to recognized as a mental illness in France. In 1971 created the FHAR: Homosexual Front of Revolutionary Action In 1978, Francois Mitterand (French President in power) is against laws discriminating homosexuals. This is the beginning of an arrangement between the state and the homosexual population. In 1981: World Health Organization no longer consider homosexuality as mental illness. But it was not until 1990 that homosexuality is actually removed from the list. In 1999 : PACS creation (details later) In 2004 : First international day against homophobia. [...]

[...] The limits of homosexuality are not clearly defined. Homosexuality can be defined as an attraction between two people of the same sex. Since ancient times, homosexuality has always been considered as something abnormal or an illness. The world today want to be modern, but in France, some minds are stuck on tradition and religion. Homosexuality was consider in France as a crime until the French Revolution of 1789. In 1942, a law bears the most sexual 15 years for heterosexuals, and 21 years for homosexuals. [...]

[...] Admittedly, the situation of homosexuals in France going better over the years. They are more and more listened to. The state tries to take actions that repair discrimination. In 1999, the Jospin law establishes the PACS (Civil Solidarity Pact) to take into account some of the claims of same-sex couples who aspire to global recognition of their status. PACS establishes mutual assistance between spouses, but does not provide the right to adoption, guardianship or medically assisted procreation. This is a great step forward for the gay community, but the problem of creating a family remains. [...]

[...] In addition, since November, homosexuals are finally accepted by blood donating. This is the beginning of progress in attitudes and a victory for homosexuals who claim their rights to be considered as normal people. To conclude, we can see that homosexuality has always been labeled as something bad in France, but the situation is going better over the years. Thanks to their perseverance, homosexuals have managed to get most of the rights they claimed. Politicians are about to open their minds and maybe one day France will become a country where homosexuals have the same rights as heterosexuals. [...]