France’s Senate has officially passed same-sex marriage.

On the evening of 9 April, the first article of the bill was adopted by the upper level of French parliament by 179 votes to 157.

This vote becomes final unless the entire bill is rejected after further consideration by the Senate.

It will not be subjected to another reading in the National Assembly or the CMP (Mixed Commission).

After more than 10 hours of discussion, there were defections from right-wing politicians.

From the Union for a Popular Movement, five senators voted for the bill while two abstained.

‘Despite attempts to obstruct the right, the Senate has adopted Article 1 which allows same-sex couples to marry,’ said FranÃ§ois Rebsamen of the Socialist party said, as reported by the AFP.

‘The adoption of this article by a vote of the entire Senate majority puts an end to the discrimination that resulted from sexual choices of citizens,’ he added.

‘Given the abuses that took place either by manifestations of violence in the street, either by verbal excesses in the chamber, the vote on this article marks a victory for the fight against homophobia, tolerance and the of democracy,’ Rebsamen concluded.

The French Senate must now discuss the second article of the bill, which is adoption for same-sex couples. If that is agreed, the bill will then go to President FranÃ§ois Hollande to be signed into law.