France legalises gay marriage

Hollywood actress Mia Farrow has posted a message after French Parliament legalised same-sex marriage and adoption today.

Opponents of the law say France is not ready to legalise adoption for same-sex couples, and polls show that the country is sharply divided on the issue, despite French parliament passing it into law today.

France has become the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage following New Zealand last week.

Thousands of police mobilised ahead of the vote, preparing for dueling protests around the National Assembly building and along the Seine River. At least one spectator was ejected from the gallery.

Watch: NZ parliament breaks into song after passing same sex marriage bill

French lawmakers have legalised same-sex marriage after months of debate and street protests that brought hundreds of thousands to Paris.

The legislation was passed with a 331-225 vote in the Socialist majority National Assembly. France's justice minister, Christiane Taubira, said the first weddings could be as soon as June.

French Parliament has passed a law legalising same-sex marriage and adoption, according to Reuters.