No assisted reproduction for lesbians

• Tweet

PARIS, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The ruling Socialist Party in France dropped medically assisted childbearing for lesbians Wednesday from a bill that would legalize gay marriage.

Socialists in Parliament hope the step will cut religious opposition to the "marriage for all" bill, Radio France Internationale reported. A poll released Tuesday said 60 percent of the public in France favor allowing same-sex couples to marry, but only 46 percent support opening reproductive assistance to lesbian couples who want children.

A major demonstration is scheduled Sunday against same-sex marriage. The protest is supported by evangelical Protestants, although conservative Catholics, Jews and Muslims are also expected to turn out.

Some Socialists said the party has a history of backing down in confrontations with religious groups, especially the Catholic Church.

"I observe that every time the left is in power the Catholic hierarchy hits the streets," Jean-Christophe Camadelis, a member of the National Assembly, told RFI Tuesday.