The words “mother” and “father” are set to be stripped from official documents in France, under controversial plans to redefine marriage.
The controversial move would see the word “parents” used in identical marriage ceremonies for both heterosexual and homosexual weddings.
Francois Hollande, the French President, pledged to introduce same-sex marriage in his manifesto.
Same-sex
The draft law, which will be presented to the cabinet for approval next month, claims that “marriage is a union of two people, of different or the same gender”.
The news comes as the Westminster Government seeks to introduce same-sex marriage by 2015.
Earlier this year the Government’s own impact assessment revealed that redefining marriage would result in the terms “husband” and “wife” being removed from official forms.
Scrap
More than 600,000 people have now signed a petition, organised by the Coalition for Marriage, demanding that the Government scrap the plans.
Earlier this month a leading human rights barrister warned that introducing same-sex marriage could lead to teachers and others being forced out of their jobs.
Aidan O’Neill QC also warned that foster carers could be barred from looking after children if they say they disagree with allowing two people of the same sex to marry.