BY NATASHA BARSOTTI — Vincent Autin, 40, and Bruno Boileau, 29, were married in Montpellier’s town hall, with security on high alert in the wake of last weekend’s violent clashes between police and protesters who took part in a large anti-gay-marriage march in Paris.
The couple’s marriage, recognized as France’s first same-sex wedding, was deemed a “historic moment” by Montpellier Mayor Hélène Mandroux, who officiated at the ceremony, Pink News reports. The report notes that Mandroux, who reportedly received threats and was warned in one telephone call to “get bodyguards,” didn’t seem perturbed as she performed the ceremony before a large gathering that included family, friends, government officials and a strong showing of journalists.
Autin and Boileau, who have been together for more than five years, entered to the song “LOVE,” by Nat King Cole, and a standing ovation from the crowd and walked out to “Love and Marriage,” by Frank Sinatra, the report says.
Watch Agence France-Presse video of the ceremony.