France to examine gay marriage law

France's highest court of appeal on Tuesday asked the Constitutional Council to rule on whether gay marriage should remain illegal after individuals asked a court to examine the legality of the articles in French law that ban same-sex marriage.

The Court of Cassation says gay marriage is "the subject of a broad debate within society, notably because of the evolution of morals and the recognition of same-sex marriages by the laws of several foreign countries".

The unnamed individuals in August said the law was unconstitutional because it limits the personal freedom of a French citizen.

In Europe, same-sex marriages are possible in Belgium, Britain, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.