Hollande admits gay marriage opt-out gaffe

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http://www.france24.com/en/20121122-president-hollande-admits-gay-marriage-france-lgbt-mayors

French President François Hollande was forced to backtrack Wednesday after he implied that mayors would be able to opt out of officiating at gay weddings.

Hollande had told a mayors conference on Tuesday that he respected their “freedom of conscience” and invoked the possibility of allowing them to delegate responsibility to councillors if they had a personal objection to marrying same-sex couples.

The move sparked criticism from Inter-LGBT, a gay-rights advocacy group, which said it was "suspending all relations with the government" until Hollande clarified his statement, which the group said "at best, can be termed a clumsy act and at worse, treachery".

Which is exactly what Hollande did. On Wednesday he told a delegation from Inter-LGBT that “he regretted having spoken inappropriately” about mayors’ “freedom of conscience”.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Hollande has an odd habit

of opening his mouth without putting his brain in gear first.