French President Francois Hollande has signed same-sex marriage into law after the country's Constitutional Council dismissed a legal challenge to stop it. It follows months of political debate and public protests. President Hollande signed the bill into law early Saturday following the Council's dismissal of a legal challenge; making France the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage. The legislation also legalizes adoption by same-sex partners. Hollande said that the law applies across the whole territory, in full, and he will not accept any disruption to these marriages.

French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira, who brought the bill before parliament, said the first same-sex marriages could take place as early as June.