Homosexuality and Law: An Alphabet -- France

France, Europe

France has traditionally been fairly tolerant in matters of private morality including homosexuality and this is reflected in the country's legislation. Any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment or service, public or private, has been prohibited since 1985. Gay and lesbian people are free to serve in the Armed Forces. On December 2004, the National Assembly approved legislation which made homophobic or sexist comments illegal. The maximum penalty of a €45,000 fine and/or 12 months imprisonment. In 1997, 55% of the French considered homosexuality "an acceptable lifestyle". In 2006, 78% considered homosexuality "as good as any other lifestyle". The current mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, publicly revealed his homosexuality in 1998, before his first election in 2001.

Included in this index are two non-gay stories, both located in France, (Baccarat Crystal and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War 1) as well as six non-gay-related photo galleries that relate to the Meuse-Argonne region and the death of my uncle, a US soldier in World War One.