By Diana Luna

PACS vs. Marriage File joint tax returns Share common property rights Enjoy same social welfare and inheritance advantages Held accountable for each other’s debts

PACS vs. Marriage No possibility guardianship, joint adoption, or access to medical assisted procreation Doesn’t accord partner automatic immigration rights Union registered in court, not in City Hall No dissolution process

TIMELINE: Contract D’union Sociale was introduced 1992 First partnership law proposed 1990 Court ruled against extension of benefits to homosexuals 1989

TIMELINE: New PACS proposal passed Oct Draft rejected Oct First draft of PACS written 1998

Conservative Opposition Huge rallies organized by conservative groups Demonstrations called for by several “pro- family” organizations In Feb. 1998, Paris rally drew 200,000 demonstrators

The Church’s Response Undermines the sanctity of marriage Doesn’t produce children Undermines morality

“ One cannot ignore… that this legislation is just the first step, for example, towards the adoption of children by people in a homosexual relationship… We fear for the future and we regret what has just happened.” - Louis Marie Bille, head of the Council of French Bishops

Foucaultian Lens Language of discourse Power/knowledge Negative relation

Change from marriage to cohabitation in last 30 years French marriage rate fallen more than 30% in past generation 40% of children born out of wedlock

In 2007, 75% of civil unions signed between heterosexual couples 175,000 PACS were registered in 2009, of which 95% were heterosexual 2 civil unions for every 3 marriages Some Numbers: