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French court overrules exception to same-sex marriage prohibition

CHAMBERY, France, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A French court overturned an earlier ruling Friday that denied marriage between a gay Moroccan man and his French partner, citing contradictions in the law.

Two men, identified as Dominique and Mohamed, had intended to marry in Chambery, France, under the country's new same-sex marriage law. The Chambery public prosecutors' office blocked the marriage, citing a reminder from the justice ministry in May, noting longstanding bilateral agreements meant citizens of 11 countries, including Morocco, were subject to marriage laws of their home countries and not those of France.

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None of those countries recognize same-sex unions, Radio France Internationale said.

The court pointed out the wording of the French law contradicts that assertion, noting only one of the potential spouses must reside where the law allows the marriage.

That wording, the court ruled, "implicitly but necessarily" changes the situation and overrules the agreement between France and Morocco.

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