France: Cartoon characters share gay kisses at equal marriage rally
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.”
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.”
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.
