France became the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage today. The National Assembly had approved the measure on February 12, with 329 approving, 229 against, so this second reading was mainly viewed as a technicality. On April 12, the French senate voted to legalize gay marriage after a weeklong heated debate.

Though it was likely too late for any measure to prevent the law from being approved, an estimated 50,000 protestors gathered throughout Paris, waving pink and blue flags. Much of the protesting is launched at French president Francois Hollande, who currently has the lowest popularity rating of any recent French president. Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who is one of the few French public officials who is openly gay, joined a rival march supporting same-sex marriage.

Recent opinion polls show that between 55 percent and 60 percent of French citizens approve of gay marriage.

[image via AP]