The lower house has already approved the legislation. If it passes the Senate, it would mark the biggest step forward for French gay rights advocates in more than a decade.
But the plan faces stiff opposition from the Roman Catholic Church, other religious groups and social conservatives, with huge numbers turning out for protest marches in Paris in recent weeks.
MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/04/world/europe/france-same-sex-marriage/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2
