By Barton Gingerich (@bjgingerich)
After the passage of same-sex marriage legislation in France, one mayor is refusing to comply. Jean-Michel Colo of Arcangues rejected an application for marriage from a gay couple in his village. Guy Martineau-Espel and Jean-Michel Martin tried to compromise with the major, taking vows outside the traditional marriage hall. Nevertheless, the Arcangues mayor still refused. “When people close the door at home, they do what they want. For me, marriage is for a woman and man to have children. I am not discriminating as a same-sex couple is sterile. It’s a parody of equality, it’s a big lie,” he reasoned.
The couple plans to press charges against Colo and his application of the new law. He faces stiff penalties if found guilty of discrimination: up to five years jail time and a 75,000 euro fine (about $99,000). When the legislation was being formed, many mayors called for conscience clause protection for objectors in townships and other local communities. These amendment measures failed. In light of the Arcangues case, Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls threatened, “The elects who do not respect the laws of the republic will risk significant sanctions.”
Colo responded in typically French fashion, “I will go to the gallows.”
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Comment by Daiva on July 23, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Dear Major,
we are with you, because you are not afraid to be the ALONE warrior in the field. That’s true demonstration of deep belief and true demonstration in the face of modern multi-facial world a simple staying the one you are, staying with your principles, your beliefs, which are so easily betrayed nowdays. I pray God for His will to you, Mr.Jean-Michel Colo! Blessed is the town of Arcangues and blessed is the pair of Guy Martineau-Espel and Jean-Michel Martin, because they might be the first official converts, if God wish so.
Please, stay strong and believe in God who will never leave you, when you stay strong even in face of jail.
Daiva, the citizen of Vilnius, Lithuania, 2013-07-23