Although Socialist president François Hollande made clear in his election campaign that he was in favour of legalising gay marriage, there is now a widely - held view that he is pushing the gay marriage bill to boost his left - wing credentials, as the dire economic situation prevents him from delivering on some other election hopes. (en.rfi.fr)
Results released overnight reveal Australians have resisted pressure from Church leaders by voting in favour of legalising same - sex marriage by 61.6 per cent to 38.4 per cent. (premierchristianity.com)
The US Supreme Court's decision in Windsor v. US, in June 2013, holding that denial of federal tax benefits to same - sex widow Edith Windsor, which she would have received if her spouse had been male, was unconstitutional, has speeded up the process of legalising same - sex marriage in New Jersey, and may do so in other US states as well. (blog.politics.ox.ac.uk)