France already allows civil unions between same-sex couples, but it was a campaign pledge of President Francois Hollande to extend their rights. 

 

He is now facing tough opposition² to the idea. 

 

This is one the most divisive issues he has encountered since he was elected in May, correspondents say. 

 

Once the draft law has been presented to Mr Hollande's cabinet, it will be debated by the French parliament in January. 

 

More than 1,000 mayors have signed a petition against the proposed changes, there have been protests in 75 towns and cities, and one opposition politician has even suggested that legalising gay marriage could lead to polygamy（多配偶）, says the BBC's Maddy Savage³ in Paris. 

 

Over the weekend, the head of the French Council of Bishops⁴ described gay marriage as "the ultimate deceit". 

 

And there are also divisions within the government, with some arguing that the law should go even further by offering state funding for artificial insemination（人工授精） for gay couples. 

 

At present only married couples - not civil union partners - can adopt in France.

 

A number of European nations, including Germany, Sweden and the UK, already allow gay adoption⁵.

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