October was a month of activity -- both for and against LGBT rights around the world.
October 25 2012 3:03 PM EST
November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST
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Two French lesbian policewomen, Raphaelle and her companion, Fabienne, pose with one of their three children on Wednesday near Lyon, in eastern France. They had twins, born in early 2010, and because of this Fabienne intends to obtain from the courts a right to paternity leave, which has been denied so far by the officials from the police department. An amendment to a proposed law that aims to fund the social security health care system and which is now being examined by Parliament proposes transforming paternity leave into a "childbirth leave," which would be bestowed regardless of a person's gender.
Remember the viral "kiss seen round the world" photo of the two French women from earlier this week? This was the rally they were kissing at. People took part in a demonstration called by the Vita association in front of the Arc of La Defense in La Defense business district, near Paris, Tuesday to denounce same-sex marriage. Government ministers are expected to approve a draft law authorizing same-sex marriage next week despite opposition. Officials have said the legislation will also include a provision for married same-sex couples to adopt children. Opinion polls suggest that up to two thirds of French voters back the right of gay couples to marry, but they are evenly split on allowing adoption.
A man wears a costume reading "papa" and "mama" during the antigay demonstration in front of the Arc of La Defense.
People wave posters reading "A dad, a mum, we don't lie to children" during the demonstration against LGBT people's rights.
Nepalese transgender Pink Pageant 2012 winner Purnima Shrestha (center), second runner-up Phemina Sherpa (left) and first runner-up Prasin Gurung (right) wave to the crowd in Kathmandu on Oct. 14. A total of 15 participants from across the country took part in the event organized by the Blue Diamond Society, an LGBT civil rights group.
Players participate in a friendly soccer match during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia LGBT Sports Festival in Kathmandu October 12. Hundreds of athletes took part in Asia's first sports tournament for LGBT people in the Nepalese capital, organizers said.
A Nepalese transgender performer dances during the opening ceremony of the first South Asia LGBT Sports Festival.
Participants wave Nepalese and rainbow flags during the opening ceremony of festival.
A photograph taken during a Parisian wedding fair October 12 shows two female figurines in wedding dresses.
Two models hold hands during a fashion show as part of Paris's wedding fair.
Two models hold hands during a fashion show as part of Paris's wedding fair.
Gay rights activists wave from a city tram, which they rented to hold a rally on wheels in central Minsk October 11. The posters read "'We are different!" and "Lera, I love you. Katya." A group of gay rights activists held a rally in the Belarus capital to mark Coming Out Day.
Supporters of marriage equality protest outside Birmingham Town Hall, which hosted a Coalition for Marriage fringe event as part of the Conservative Party Conference in the U.K. The annual four-day conference, held in the International Convention Centre on October 8 in Birmingham, England, featured speeches from cabinet ministers as well as the mayor of London.
Supporters of same-sex marriage protest outside Birmingham Town Hall.
Serbian policemen stand guard at the entrance to a conference hall in Belgrade on October 6. Serbia's gay activists vowed to keep up with preparations for a Pride parade to be held next year despite the ban of this year's march, which forced them to organize the gathering indoors. Instead of marching, the activists took to the street only to sit on the pavement outside the hall, holding signs with the date set for the next year's parade -- September 28.