French President Francois Hollande on Thursday hit out at "homophobic" acts by opponents of a same-sex marriage bill following violent protests that included an attack on a gay bar. The interior minister asked protest organisers to throw out members of far-right organisations who have been involved in the violence, as opposition intensifies ahead of the bill's expected final approval. "Homophobic acts, violent acts have been committed. The right to protest is recognised by our constitution and accepted by the French. But no protest must degenerate," Hollande said.

Several dozen Romanian activists halted a show organized by a group defending the rights of homosexuals, triggering a sharp rebuke from the anti-discrimination body Thursday. Brandishing Romanian flags, the anti-gay protesters booed and sang the national anthem and religious songs as the movie "The Kids Are All Right", telling the story of two moms living together, was about to start, witnesses said. The policemen present in the hall did not intervene, so the screening was stopped, Irina Nita, head of the Accept rights group, told Mediafax news agency.