France: Cartoon characters share gay kisses at equal marriage rally

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/


The banner featuring the images was featured at an equal marriage rally in south west France (Image: Tumblr)

 

Famous cartoon characters were paired up in same-sex couples in a display as part of a rally for equal marriage in France.

Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, Tintin and Captain Haddock, Asterix and Obelisk and Smurfette, and her un-named female friend, among others, were featured on a banner as part of demonstrations in support of equal marriage in Angouleme, southwestern France.

Cinabre, who posted images of the banners online, encouraged people to join the rally in the town, and explained where the images came from.

She wrote: “March for LGBT rights today in Angouleme, France… Angouleme is famous for the International Comics festival (FIBD), which starts in less than 2 weeks. So of course, here is the truck used in the march! In the background it’s (sic) the town hall.”

She goes on to say: “Notice the [wedding] rings on the hands of the characters.”

As many as a quarter of a million people gathered in the French cities of Paris and Lyon yesterday to support plans to introduce same-sex marriage equality.

Cinabre went on to say that she had a favourite out of the same-sex cartoon couples featured.

She wrote: “I think the best one is the one with the smurfette, because it mocks the fact that the smurfette is the only female in the smurfs world. She’s not alone anymore.”

On 7 November 2012, French President Francois Hollande’s government approved a bill to legalise equal marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

When he approved the bill, the same day that three US states - Maine, Maryland and Washington - legalised equal marriage, President Hollande told his cabinet that it would mean “progress not only for individuals but for the whole of society”.

Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP denouncing the measure.

The President had previously conceded that the religious opponents of his equal marriage plans were proving to be “tough” to deal with.

In November, thousands of pro-equality demonstrators turned up to rally at the National Assembly in Paris, to show support for equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples.

Last August, a Guernsey artist caused a storm of debate by displaying a collection of artwork showing popular Disney characters engaged in same-sex kisses.




http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/